MARS — For starters, it was a dominating performance.

In the first game of the Eagle County League's best-of-five championship series, Mars' lineup totaled 14 hits in an 11-1 rout of Cranberry Township Monday night at Marburger Field.

It proved to be more than enough offense for Mars starting pitcher Mike Devine, who allowed just one run on four hits in a complete-game performance that included five strikeouts and no walks.

Cranberry briefly held a 1-0 edge, but Mars tallied five runs in the bottom of the third inning and six more in the fourth to break the game open.

All 11 runs were charged to Cranberry starter, Brian Warheit, who lasted 3X\c innings.

“We faced him earlier this year and that game ended in a 1-1 tie in nine innings,” said Mars manager Rob Fester. “That kid is tough, he just ran into a hot-hitting lineup today.”

Devine and Brendan Malone opened the bottom of the third frame with back-to-back doubles as courtesy runner Tim Geibel scored to tie the game.

Aaron Ordy's single was followed by Matt Colella's three-run home run over the right-field fence for a 4-1 lead.

Mike Bruno later singled and scored on a wild pitch.

“Brian was coming off two straight shutouts,” Cranberry manager Bill Clinefelter said of his pitcher. “We always seem to be in the game when he's on the mound and were expecting the same today.”

Things went from bad to worse for Cranberry in the bottom of the fourth. Colella, Phil Shallenberger, Don Dell and Devine each tallied run-scoring hits.

Clinefelter called on reliever T.J. Zarewicz to get the final out, but Mars held a commanding 10-run lead.

Devine allowed his only run in the top of the third frame when Johnny Hastings singled home Jim Burry.

“He had a rough stretch there, trying to overthrow a bit,” said Fester of Devine. “But he settled down and started to hit his spots.

“Cranberry's a good-hitting team, but Mike's a good pitcher,” added Fester.

Colella finished the game with three hits, two runs scored and four runs batted in.

Zarewicz retired seven of the eight batters he faced, including four strikeouts.

Game Two will be played at 6 p.m. today at North Boundary Park.

Clinefelter is not concerned about a carry-over effect from Monday's game.

“Our guys know that you need three wins for the title,” he said. “We're going to put this behind us and try to even things up.”

Note: Mars defeated Cranberry Township in last year's title series, three games to one.

Cranberry Twp. 001 000 0 — 1 4 2Mars 005 600 x — 11 14 2W: Mike Devine 7 IP (5K, 0BB).

L: Brian Warheit 3 2/3 IP (3K, 2BB).

Cranberry Township: Jim Burry R, Johnny Hastings 1B RBI, Chris Larry 2B, Ed Jacquel 2-1B

Mars: Brendan Malone 1B 2B 2R RBI, Aaron Ordy 2-1B 2R, Matt Colella 2-1B HR 2R 4RBI, Paul Westwood RBI, Mike Bruno 1B 2R, Phil Shallenberger 2-1B RBI, Don Dell 2B R RBI, Mike Devine 2-2B RBI, Tim Geibel R, Mike Jeffreys 1B

Today: Mars vs. Cranberry Township at North Boundary Park, 6 p.m.