Deadly dynasty
CRANBERRY TWP — Having already taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 Eagle County League championship series, Mars kept its foot on the gas in Game 3 Wednesday evening.
Three runs in the first inning ignited an 11-1, six-inning victory over Cranberry Township at North Boundary Park, earning for Mars a third straight league title and ninth crown in 11 years.
Mars' lineup feasted on Cranberry's pitchers — starter Matt Gayda and reliever Cam Kern — tallying 16 hits.
In the three games of the title series, Mars (22-3) plated 35 runs.
“In our semifinal series against the Captains (3-2 win), our offense was back and forth,” said Mars player/manager Brendan Malone. “We'd score 10 runs in one game, then come out the next and get shut out.”
Tuesday proved to be the pivotal day of the series.
Monday's game was tied after six innings and was suspended due to darkness at Zelienople Community Park. Action picked back up Tuesday and Cranberry (17-8) took an 11-6 lead into the bottom of the eighth before Mars rallied for a 12-11 win.
Game 2 began shortly after and Cranberry's psyche was obviously shaken as it dropped a 12-0 decision.
“You have no idea,” exclaimed Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter. “Since the end of that first game, it just took the wind right out of our sails.”
The first inning Wednesday did nothing to instill confidence that Cranberry could force a fourth game.
Gayda allowed singles to Mars' first two batters, Rick Devereaux and Malone. Jim Pasquine's sacrifice fly led to the first run. With two outs, Dan Berty and Scott Ventura both drove in a run with a base hit.
The lead was 4-0 when Cranberry came to the plate in the top of the fourth. Mars pitcher Greg Frederick had allowed just one baserunner through the first three innings.
Consecutive one-out singles from Jeremy Iellimo, Garrett Barto and Brandon Pouch loaded the bases. With two outs, Johnny Brittner drew a walk that forced in a run.
Frederick worked a complete game, striking out eight, walking one and scattering six hits.
“We had five ace pitchers this season and he was one of them,” said Malone.
“He's a two-strikeout per inning guy and pitches in other leagues,” Clinefelter said of Frederick. “He has multiple arm angles and he hits his spots.”
Mars plated five more runs in the bottom of the fourth, during which Kern relieved Gayda, to take a 9-1 lead.
Pasquine's sacrifice fly scored Devereaux in the sixth, ending the game via the mercy rule.
“We were uncertain if we'd even get to play this season,” Malone said. “Then when it was decided that we would, we had everybody back and got some really good pitchers. (With the virus), nobody was doing anything. They wanted to play.”
Cranberry Twp. 000 100 x — 1 6 1Mars 310 502 x — 11 16 0W: Greg Frederick 6 IP (8K, 1BB). L: Matt Gayda 3.1 IP (0K, 4BB).Cranberry Township (17-8): Jeremy Iellimo 2-1B RMars (22-3): Rick Devereaux 2-1B 2B 2R 2RBI, Brendan Malone 2-1B 2R RBI, Jim Pasquine 2B 3RBI, Dan Penberthy 2-1B R, Greg Stokes 1B 2B 2R RBI, Dan Berty 2-1B R RBI, Scott Ventura 2-1B R 3RBI
