CALLERY — Freeport faced a one-run deficit with two innings left, but that's when Mars II pitcher Josh Rape hit his groove.

Rape retired Freeport's last six batters in order to preserve a 4-3 win in Game 2 of the Eagle County League's best-of-five championship series Tuesday at Callery Field.

The series is tied at one game apiece, with the third game scheduled for 6 p.m. today at Freeport's Swartz Field.

The top of the sixth inning of Tuesday's game saw Freeport send Mike Totos, Jeff Kauffman and Jordan Moore to the plate, but none reached base.

In the top of the seventh, Ryan Clark was retired on a diving catch by Mars II right fielder Matt Rovnan.

Luke Westerman's one-out liner appeared to be headed for right field, but Mars first baseman Weston Hillegas lunged to his right to make the catch.

Rape then closed out the game by striking out Cy Haponski.

"By the sixth and seventh inning, I was locating my fastball better and was putting my curveball in better spots, which set up the fastball," said Rape, who also serves as the team's coach.

Rape struck out seven and walked two in the complete-game win.

Freeport cut into Mars' 4-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Jon Bastian reached base on a fielding error, moved to second on Dan Penberthy's single and to third on James Connelly's groundout before scoring when Jeff Kauffman singled.

Freeport added two more runs in the fifth when Penberthy's single drove in Ryan Clark and Haponski.

The team had managed three runners in the first two innings, but couldn't score.

Rape then retired Freeport in order in the third.

"We didn't come to play those first few innings," said Freeport player-coach Wayne Greiser. "But I think Josh had something to do with that. He pitched well today."

Freeport outhit Mars II 6-4, but the latter took advantage of a throwing error and one of Freeport starter Jon Moore's five walks.

After Ryan Leonberg's RBI groundout gave Mars II a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the home team received a leadoff single from Hillegas in the third.

Rovnan walked and Derec Ciafre's single drove in Hillegas.

A throwing error on the same play allowed Rovnan to make it 3-0. Ciafre later scored on a wild pitch.

"Walks and the error both hurt, but we knew this was going to be a tight series," said Greiser. "We beat (Mars II) all three games during the regular season, but we didn't have to face Hillegas or Rape. We knew we'd see them in this series."

Moore retired Mars II in order in the fourth and sixth. He struck out six and walked five in the loss.

Ciafre ended the game with a single, two runs scored and one RBI for the victors.

"He had been in a slump and we've been giving him a hard time about it," Rape said with a smile. "But he's a guy you know will come out of it eventually and get a big hit for us."

Freeport 000 120 0 — 3 6 1Mars II 013 000 x — 4 4 1W: Josh Rape (7 IP) 7 K, 2 BB.

L: Jon Moore (6 IP) 6 K, 5 BB.

Freeport (26-12-1): Cy Haponski R, Jon Bastian R, Aaron Brown 1B, Dan Penberthy 2-1B 2 RBI, James Connelly 1B, Jeff Kauffman 2-1B RBI, Ryan Clark R

Mars II (21-16-1): Brian Hart 1B, Ryan Leonberg RBI, Weston Hillegas 1B R, Matt Rovnan R, Derec Ciafre 1B 2R RBI, Phil Double 1B

Today: Mars II at Freeport, Game 3, Swartz Field, 6 p.m.