FREEPORT — It's the best way for a team to get out of an offensive slump: get everyone involved in the hit parade.

All nine of Mars II's hitters tallied at least one hit as the team collected 12 total in a 6-3 victory over Freeport in Game 4 of the Eagle County League's best-of-five championship series Wednesday at Swartz Field.

In its previous five games, Mars II had scored 11 runs on 18 hits, though it did win three of those contests.

"Tonight, (Freeport pitcher Ryan Clark) wasn't getting much over for strikes, other than his fastball," said Mars II player-coach Josh Rape, "so we were just sitting on the fastball all night."

The win gives Mars II a 2-1 lead in the series and it has a chance to clinch the team's first league title in Game 4 at 6 p.m. today at Callery Field.

Mars II scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning, turning a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 edge.

Rape walked to open the frame and gave way to courtesy runner Ryan Ganter.

Derec Ciafre's single was followed by Chet Shaffer's RBI double that tied the game.

After Ciafre scored on a fielder's choice, Shaffer scored on a wild pitch and Ryan Leonberg plated his team's sixth run on John Crummy's two-out single.

Clark went the distance for Freeport, striking out five and walking three in the loss.

He did receive three runs of support in the first three innings, but Mars II starter Ryan Leonberg and reliever Brian Hart minimized the damage.

Freeport stranded seven runners in the first four innings, including four in scoring position.

"Leaving that many runners out there is big," said Freeport player-coach Wayne Greiser. "We're without three of our top hitters. Carter and Cy Haponski are on vacation and Bill Daugherty has been out for the last few weeks with an injury. But you just go out and play with who you got."

Freeport tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the first when Aaron Brown walked and ended up scoring on a fielding error.

After Rape's RBI single plated Matt Rovnan in the top of the third, Freeport answered again in its half of the inning, this time taking a one-run lead.

After Leonberg gave up a two-run double to James Connelly for a 3-2 Freeport edge, the former was relieved by Hart, who pitched the final 4X\c innings, striking out three, walking one and holding Freeport scoreless.

Freeport now has to win its next two games to be crowned league champion.

The team needs to look no further than its previous series for inspiration.

"We were down two games to Saxonburg (in the semifinals) and came back to win that series," said Greiser. "We know we can do it."

Mars II 101 004 0 — 6 12 3Freeport 102 000 0 — 3 6 2W: Brian Hart (42/3 IP) 3 K, 1 BB.

L: Ryan Clark (7 IP) 5 K, 3 BB.

Mars II (22-16-1): Brian Hart 1B R, Ryan Leonberg 1B R RBI, John Crummy 2-1B RBI, Weston Hillegas 2-1B RBI, Matt Rovnan 2B R, Josh Rape 1B RBI, Phil Double 1B, Derec Ciafre 1B R, Chet Shaffer 2-2B R RBI, Ryan Ganter R

Freeport (26-13-1): Aaron Brown 2R, Jon Bastian 2B R, James Connelly 2B 2 RBI, Dan Penberthy 1B, Ryan Clark 1B, Wayne Greiser 1B, Luke Westerman 1B