CALLERY — The Mars lineup took its swings against two of East Butler's pitchers Thursday evening, with little success.

Starting pitcher Ryan Fennell and reliever Cody Herald combined to give up only one run on one hit as East Butler secured a 5-1 Butler County American Legion baseball victory at Callery Field.

"It was a super performance by both guys," East Butler coach Carl Hays said. "And it came against one of the best lineups in the league.

"Ryan and Cody are pretty similar," Hays added. "Ryan's got a bit more to his fastball, and Cody has the better curveball and throws strikes more consistently."

The lone Mars hit came when Andrew Rush's single brought home Blake Friday in the bottom of the first inning.

The home team missed a golden opportunity in the fourth.

Trailing 5-1, Mars drew three walks from Fennell to load the bases with two outs.

Herald entered the game to face Mars leadoff hitter Tyler Dean, and Herald ended the threat with a strikeout.

"Ryan got the win, but Cody deserves a lot of the credit, too," said Hays. "That strikeout was huge. I told him he just needed to throw strikes for us."

Fennell left the mound with four strikeouts and four walks.

"We know all about Cody Herald," said Mars coach Bill Trapp. "He's every bit as good as Ryan. That wasn't a step down by any means."

Herald didn't allow much over the final three innings either.

Friday reached on an error in the fifth, but was retired as part of a 4-6-3 double play.

Nick Vranich and Friday both walked in the seventh, but they became the last two of Mars' seven stranded runners.

Herald totaled four strikeouts and a pair of free passes in 3¾ innings.

Dean pitched a complete game for Mars (10-3), striking out six and walking two, but Mars' defense committed four errors.

"We knew East Butler (11-3) would be a tough opponent," said Trapp. "We just didn't play up to our potential today."

Leading 2-1, East Butler broke the game open in the top of the fourth.

Mick Fennell, Ben Renwick and Zach Harbison began the frame with consecutive base hits, with Harbison's effort plating a run.

Dalton Steighner's groundout scored Renwick, and Josh Reddick's base hit was followed by a throwing error, allowing Harbison to score for a four-run advantage.

East Butler 011 300 0 — 5 9 2Mars 100 000 0 — 1 1 4W: Ryan Fennell 3¾ IP (4 K, 4 BB).

L: Tyler Dean 7 IP (6 K, 2 BB).

East Butler (11-3): Dalton Steighner 1B RBI SB, Josh Reddick 1B R SB, Cody Herald 1B RBI, Chad Walker 1B R, Mick Fennell 2-1B R, Ben Renwick 2-1B R, Zach Harbison 1B R 2 RBI

Mars (10-3): Blake Friday R, Andrew Rush 1B RBI

Today: Center Township at Mars

Sunday: East Butler at Meridian