CALLERY — In a series that has been all about pitching, it was Cranberry Township's turn to show off one of its dominating arms.

Todd Erdos tossed a three-hitter, striking out seven and walking just one as Cranberry stayed alive in the best-of-5 Eagle County League championship series with a 4-1 win over Mars Tuesday evening.

Erdos, who spent parts of five seasons in major league baseball from 1997 to 2001, was pitching on his shortest rest of the season.

Erdos earned the win Thursday in Game 5 of Cranberry's semifinal series against Saxonburg.

"He was unbelievable," said Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter of Erdos. "I didn't know what to expect. In a lot of his outings this year, he got a week-plus rest. It's amazing. I'm still shocked."

The Mars hitters seemed just as surprised.

Five of the seven strikeouts recorded by Erdos came on called third strikes.

Erdos pounded the strike zone with a plus fastball and a sneaky breaking ball that kept Mars off balance.

When asked if he thought his hitters should have been more aggressive, Mars manager Rob Fester shook his head.

"No," he said. "They know how to play. I'm not going to tell them to change."

After absorbing a 10-0 shutout in Game 1 Saturday and a 1-0 setback in Game 2 Monday, Cranberry scored its first run of the series in the top of the first inning.

Johnny Hastings singled, moved to third on a base hit by Greg Miller and scored on an error.

The run may have been unearned, but it was welcome for Clinefelter and his team.

"We were stoked about that early lead," Clinefelter said.

Cranberry added another unearned run off Mars starting pitcher Tim Geibel in the third inning and tacked on two more runs in the fifth off Mars relief pitcher Jim Devine on a bases loaded walk by Hugh Mulvey and a fielder's choice groundout by Clinefelter.

"It was nice having a little breathing room with a four-run lead," Clinefelter said. "A two-run home run couldn't beat us."

Brendan Malone was one of the bright spots for Mars.

He hit a bloop, broken-bat double in the first inning and drove home Mars' only run in the seventh inning with a single.

Mars is still just one win away from reclaiming the league title. The club won it in 2009. Mars II was the champion last season.

Mars, a power-hitting team in the past, has relied on pitching this season, surrendering just 79 runs in 35 games heading into Tuesday.

The club would have loved to end the series in Game 3.

"For some reason we came out flat," Fester said. "We have to come back (today) and bounce back."

Clinefelter hopes to pull at least one more rabbit from his hat.

The club, short on pitching, can force a deciding Game 5 with a win today.

"Then," Clinefelter said, "who knows what can happen."

Cranberry Twp 101 020 0 — 4 7 0Mars 000 000 1 — 1 3 2W: Todd Erdos 7 IP (7K, 1BB).

L: Tim Geibel 3 IP (3K, 1BB).

Cranberry Township: Greg Miller 2-1B, Hugh Mulvey 1B 2-RBI, Bill Clinefelter 1B RBI

Mars: Brendan Malone 2B 1B RBI

Today: Mars at Cranberry, Game 4 of best-of-5 series