MARS — The Planets came out swinging, but went down looking.

The Mars baseball team jumped out to a 3-2 lead on Blackhawk Thursday afternoon at Marburger Field and rallied from a 9-3 deficit to put the tying run at first base and the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.

But two consecutive Mars batters struck out with the bat still on their shoulders to end the game and send the Planets to a 9-7 loss.

"Whenever you get two strikes like that, you have to protect the plate," said Mars coachAndy Bednar. "You have to put the ball in play and make them field it."

That ruined what was otherwise another strong offensive performance from Mars, which plays just about every game as if they are battling it out at Coors Field.

Mars has scored 119 runs in 17 games this season, but it has surrendered 130.

"They are a very good hitting team," said Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia.

That prompted Amalia to play small ball at almost every opportunity to get as many runs as he could.

He needed just about all of them.

Blackhawk starting pitcher Nick McCowin came into the game with a 4-1 record, but he hadn't pitched in nearly two weeks.

His rust showed early as the big, lanky right-hander gave up four consecutive hits and an RBI groundout to surrender a 2-0 lead.

But McCowin settled down in the next four innings, allowing his potent offense a chance to rally against Mars starter Blase Taggart.

The Planets' right-hander was effective in his five innings on the hill. He didn't strike out a batter, but walked only two and kept his team in the game.

"He did a great job," Bednar said. "He took us into the fifth, sixth inning. That's all we can ask from our No. 4 guy."

Once Blackhawk got into Mars' bullpen, the wheels came off, however.

The Cougars, playing without No. 3 hitter Ryan Verliway, who was injured againstKnoch Tuesday, and cleanup hitter Tim Lipp, who was hurt in gym class on Wednesday, scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a six-run lead.

Mars cut that lead down to 9-5 in the bottom of the frame, thanks to an RBIdouble by Zach Bear and a fielding error.

The Planets chased the visibly tiring McCowin in the seventh inning when Andrew Rush laced a two-run single.

Mike Pearson relieved McCowin and promptly gave up a single to Bear, but caught D.J. DeLucia and Justin Vancheri looking on curveballs. DeLucia's strikeout was on a pitch at the knees that looked low.

"It was too close to take," Bednar said.

Now Mars' playoff chances are too close to call as the Planets and New Castle battle for the final playoff spot.

Mars has section games against Highlands Monday and Knoch Wednesday.

New Castle plays Hampton, which is undefeated in the section, today.

Being alive in the playoff race in the final week is all Bednar could ask.

"I love the way our team battles this year," Bednar said. "We don't have the pitchers we had last year to rely on, but I'll take these guys any day."

Blackhawk 203 004 0—9 8 1Mars 300 002 2—7 10 3W: Mick McCowin 6Z\c IP (6 K, 2 BB).

L: Blase Taggart 5 IP (0 K, 2 BB).

Blackhawk (9-4, 7-2): Austin Wulf 3B, 1B, 3-RBI; Kyle Starkey 2B, 1B, RBI

Mars (8-9, 5-5): Anthony Ciafre 1B; Chris Herold 2-1B; Lee Lawver 1B, RBI; Ryan Schroth 2-2B, 1B, RBI; Andrew Rush 1B, 3-RBI; Zach Bear 2B, 1B, RBI; Justin Vancheri 2B

Monday: Mars at Highlands