Chris Kelly pitched seven strong innings and also drove in two runs as Natrona Heights claimed the first game of its Eagle County League baseball playoff series 8-4 over Zelienople Thursday night.

Natrona Heights needs just one more win to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

Travis Gross picked up the loss for Zelie, pitching three-plus innings, striking out four and walking two.

Bud Profeta had a single and a double in the losing effort for Zelie.

N. Heights 132 100 1 - 8 11 1

Zelienople 100 110 1 - 4 9 1

WP:

Chris Kelly (7 IP) 5 strikeouts, 7 walks.

LP:

Travis Gross (3 IP) 4 strikeouts, 2 walks

Natrona Heights:

Coffin HR, 1B, 3-RBI; York 2-1B; Kelly 2-1B, 2-RBI

Zelienople:

Bud Profeta 1B, 2B; Wes Bonadio 2-1B; Erin Fassinger 2-1B

Today:

Game 2, Natrona Heights @ Zelienople, 6 p.m. at Seneca Valley High School

Mars advances to the next round of the playoffs after receiving a forfeit from Butler.

The No. 5-seeded Mars team will play either Freeport or Saxonburg.