JACKSON TWP — The Saxonburg I Eagle County League baseball team is accustomed to lopsided scores.

But it's not used to being on the short end of them.

Facing elimination, Zelienople pounded out 17 hits, a barrage that ended with Mark Weimer's solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 12-0, mercy-shortened victory Wednesday night that sets the stage for today's fifth and deciding semifinal game at 6 p.m. at Highfield Park.

The winner will face Mars I in the league championship series.

The offensive numbers Zelienople put together were staggering.

Before the bottom of the third inning was over, all nine hitters in Zelie's lineup had at least one hit.

The squad managed 16 hits in the first four innings and collected no fewer than three hits per frame in that span.

"It just wasn't our day, and Zelienople played extremely well," said Saxonburg coach Dan Cunningham.

After Saxonburg starter Scott Rice retired the first batter in the bottom of the first inning, Zelie received five straight hits from Aaron Wood, Nathan Statzer (double), Damien Mazzetti, Mike Killian and Bud Profeta.

By the time Rice got out of the inning, he had given up three runs.

Helasted just one out into the second inning and was relieved by Andy Lightholder, who also incurred the wrath of Zelienople's bats, giving up three runs on five hits over the next 1X\c innings.

Brendan Malone relieved Lightholder for Saxonburg before Neal Hoagland surrendered Weimer's homer to end the game.

Statzer and Profeta also added round-trippers for the victors.

"In the first and third game, we were shut down offensively," said Zelienople coach Clayton Pegher. "But we hit the ball well in Game 2.

"We faced (Rice) earlier this year and hit him pretty well," Pegher added. "But I don't think he had his best stuff today. He was grooving fastballs right down the middle of the plate."

The recipient of all the offense was Zelienople starter Aaron Wood, who got the win after pitching five innings and shutting out Saxonburg on five hits.

"Aaron's a groundball pitcher and it helps when the defense behind him is playing well," said Pegher.

That certainly was the case Wednesday.

Even though Zelienople's offense allowed some margin for error, Wood and company pitched and played to near perfection in the field.

The one jam Wood found himself in came in the top of the fourth inning with his team holding an 8-0 edge.

Jason Curry and Curt Schnur led off the frame with back-to-back singles for Saxonburg.

Wood then got Austin Leffler to chase a pitch out of the strike zone for the first out. Third baseman Dan Binder followed with a diving stop to retire Sandy Sanderson and Steve Hall grounded out to end the threat, leaving runners stranded at second and third.

"We're usually a pretty good defensive team," said Pegher. "But a lot of the plays our guys made today were above average."

Cunningham is not banking on his team still feeling the loss when today's game begins.

"That's not even a concern," he said. "We'll be well focused."

Saxonburg 000 00x x—0 5 2Zelienople 323 31x x—12 17 0WP: Aaron Wood (5 IP) 1 strikeout, 0 walks.

LP: Scott Rice (1Z\c IP) 2 strikeouts, 0 walks

Saxonburg: Brendan Malone 2-1B, Jason Curry 1B, Curt Schnur 1B, Austin Leffler 2B

Zelienople: Dan Binder 2B R RBI, Aaron Wood 1B, Nathan Statzer 1B 2B HR 2R 2 RBI, Damien Mazzetti 2-1B 2R RBI, Mike Killian 1B RBI, Bud Profeta 2-1B HR 2R 2 RBI, Matt Shaffer 1B R, Wes Bonadio 2-1B R RBI, Matt Babusci 1B R RBI, Mark Weimer 1B HR R 2 RBI, Erin Fassinger R

Today: Zelienople vs. Saxonburg, Game 5, 6 p.m. at Highfield Park