BUTLER TWP - Saxonburg's Curt Schnur was on top of his game again Wednesday - which proved to be bad news for Zelienople.

Schnur pitched a complete-game three-hitter and stroked a two-run single in the third inning to help Saxonburg take control in a 7-0 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-five Eagle County League semifinal series at Highfield.

Schnur struck out two and walked none. He has walked only one batter all season.

"I hit my spots (Wednesday). I had all my pitches working," said Schnur. "Basically, hitting your spots makes all the difference."

"He had the game well in hand," said Saxonburg manager Dan Cunningham. "He was pitching in control all night."

Saxonburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Chase Rowe singled with one out and Mike Sikorski followed with an infield single.

Zelie pitcher Travis Gross tried to make a play at first, but his off-balance throw rolled down the right-field line, allowing Rowe to score and Sikorski to make it to third base.

Gross, however, got Matt DeSantis to line out and fanned Schnur to end the threat.

Saxonburg tacked on three runs in the third when Rowe walked, Sikorski singled and DeSantis walked to open the inning. Schnur then hit a deep drive to right center for a single that drove home two runs. Steve Graff followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

Saxonburg tacked on a three-spot in the fourth when Tim Nebel opened with a single and Brendan Malone promptly smacked a two-run homer.

Steve Hall walked with the bases loaded to open a 7-0 Saxonburg advantage.

Through the first six innings, Schnur had allowed just three singles - one each in the third, fourth and fifth innings - and only one runner reached second base.

That was in the fifth inning, when Zelie had runners at first and second and only one out, but Adam Dutka grounded into a double play.

"He threw a good game," said Zelienople manager Clayton Pegher. "He hit his spots, and he's rarely missed this season. He hardly threw any balls.

"They had those two big innings and the walks scored. Whenever we have walks, we get killed," he added.

Zelie had one more chance to get on the scoreboard when, with one out in the seventh, Schnur hit Eric Eppinger with a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A fielder's choice at first moved the runner to third.

Schnur then induced Erin Fassinger to fly out to end the contest.

"This is the first year we've gotten to this round and it's a five-game series," said Pegher. "If it was a three-game series and you get down after one game, it's hard to come back."

"They can re-group. They've got good baseball players," said Cunningham. "Clayton's done a good job bringing that program along. I really respect them."

Notes: Sikorski hit safely in all four at-bats, all singles. "He's so clutch," said Cunningham. "I think he's one of the best No. 3 hitters in the league. It takes that in that spot." … Despite 11 hits and seven runs, Saxonburg stranded 11 runners … Each Saxonburg starter reached base safely at least once with seven of the nine players getting at least one hit.

Rob Ronk hit a grand slam with one out in the seventh inning Wednesday to propel Mars to an 8-5, come-from-behind win over Freeport at Swartz Field.The victory gives Mars a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five Eagle County League Baseball semifinal series.Mars trailed 5-2 through six innings before scoring six runs in the seventh.Ronk and Greg Schuetz hit back-to-back homers to lead off the game for Mars.Brian Zima struck out six while going the distance for the victory.Josh Harbison had three hits, including a home run, for Freeport.Zelienople 000 000 0 - 0 3 4Saxonburg 103 300 x - 7 11 2WP:Curt Schnur (7 IP) 2 strikeouts, 0 walks.LP:Travis Gross (3+ IP) 2 strikeouts, 3 walksZelienople (19-12):Bud Profeta 1B; Wes Bonadio 1B; Travis Gross 1BSaxonburg (21-5-2):Brendan Malone HR, 2 RBI; Chase Rowe 1B, 2B; Mike Sikorski 4-1B; Curt Schnur 1B, 2 RBI; Steve Graff RBI; Steve Hall 1B, RBI; Dan O'Brien 1B; Tim Nebel 1BToday:Saxonburg vs, Zelienople at Seneca Valley High School, 6 p.mMars 200 000 6 - 8 8 1Freeport 001 031 0 - 5 9 1WP:Brian Zima (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 2 walks.LP:Josh Shaffer (6IP) 6 strikeouts, 3 walksMars:Rob Ronk 2-HR 5-RBI, Greg Schuetz HR, Matt Sondej 2-1BFreeport:Josh Harbison HR 2B 1B, Wayne Greiser 2BToday:Game 2: Freeport at Mars, 6 p.m.