CRANBERRY TWP — Mars II starting pitcher Weston Hillegas received seven runs of support Monday evening.

While the right-hander will take them, he certainly could have won with fewer.

Hillegas limited Cranberry Township to one run on five hits in Mars II's 7-1 victory in the first game of a best-of-three, first-round series in the Eagle County League playoffs at North Boundary Park's Veterans Field.

"We've come to expect this kind of performance from Wes," said Mars II player-coach Josh Rape. "We know that we don't have to score a lot of runs when he's on the mound. It's nice to have that kind of confidence in a guy."

Hillegas allowed only two hits in the first five innings.

Cranberry Township did tally a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Greg Miller scored on Johnny Hastings' single, but Mars II was still up 5-1 at that point.

Hillegas pitched the entire game, striking out four and walking two. He also hit two batters.

"My fastball was really working for me today," said Hillegas.

"I think we didn't show much patience at the plate today," said Cranberry player-coach Bill Clinefelter. "We've been struggling to score runs lately and maybe we just need to take a few more pitches early in the count and draw a few more walks."

Cranberry Township starter Steve Cunningham pitched two scoreless innings to begin the game before Mars II (16-13-1) broke through against the left-hander with a run in the top of the third when Rape doubled and scored on John Crummy's single.

The lead was extended to 3-0 in the fourth as Matt Rovnan scored on a fielding error and Ryan Ganter came home on a single by Brian Hart.

His team's No. 2 hitter, Rape led the attack with three hits, including a double, scoring a run and driving in one as well.

"We hadn't faced too many lefties this year," Rape said. "But I ended the (regular) season well with four hits in the last two games and I kept that going today."

Cunningham pitched all seven innings, giving up six earned runs while striking out four and walking five.

Hart singled and doubled for Mars II, scoring a run and driving in one.

With its back against the wall, Cranberry Township must win its next two games to reach the league semifinals.

"I'm confident we can put this loss behind us," said Clinefelter.

Ben Follett had two singles to lead Cranberry Township (20-11).

Mars II 001 211 2 — 7 9 2Cranberry Twp. 000 001 0 — 1 5 3W: Weston Hillegas (7 IP) 4 K, 2 BB.

L: Steve Cunningham (7 IP) 4 K, 5 BB.

Mars II (16-13-1): Brian Hart 1B 2B R RBI, Josh Rape 2-1B 2B R RBI, Phil Double 1B, John Crummy 1B 2R RBI, Ryan Leonberg 1B R, Matt Rovnan R RBI, Weston Hillegas 1B, Ryan Ganter R

Cranberry Township (20-11): Johnny Hastings 1B RBI, Hugh Mulvey 1B, Ben Follett 2-1B, Greg Miller R, Justin Papania 2B

Today: Cranberry Township at Mars II (Marburger Field), 6 p.m.