MARS — Phil Shallenberger was setting up to be the hero — and it almost got away from him.

Shallenberger belted a two-out home run for Mars in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie against Cranberry Township in Game 3 of the Eagle County Baseball semifinals series, but later loaded the bases before escaping in a 4-2 victory at Marburger Field.

The win gives Mars a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series entering today’s Game 4 at North Boundary Park.

“Any time we play (Cranberry Township), it’s a good game. They’re a good team,” Mars manager Rob Fester said. “Their pitcher (Matt Klena) pitched well, but Phil pulled one out.”

Mars opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a single from Brendan Malone, who promptly stole second. Paul Westwood popped out and Bob Spithaler grounded into a fielder’s choice, which sent Malone to third base.

Up came Shallenberger, who fell behind 0-2 in the count. Two pitches later, Shallenberger drilled the Klena pitch over the right-field wall.

Cranberry Township did not go away, however, as Ben Follett opened with a single. After Justin Patsilevas struck out, pinch-hitter Mike Mulvey singled to put the tying run on base. After Keith Kubit popped out, Ed Jacquel walked to load the bases.

T.J. Zarewicz, who already had three hits on the night, including two doubles, worked to a full count before hitting a chopper down the first-base line. Shallenberger raced over and tagged Zarewicz close to the foul line to finish the game.

“Ever since Phil has been on the team, which has been three years, he’s a gamer,” Fester said. “He’s a hard-nosed ballplayer and it’s good to have him on the team.

“He can play any position and can play him anywhere in the order. His best position is shortstop and he plays there the least.”

Cranberry Township jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Zarewicz opened the game with a double and would score on a fielder’s choice.

Mars answered with a two-out, two-run single by Bob Spithaler in the home half of the first inning.

An RBI bunt single by Zarewicz through the infield plated Keith Kubit in the third inning to tie the score at 2-2, which held up until Shallenberger’s home run.

Shallenberger finished with seven strikeouts and just two walks in the complete-game effort, while Klena struck out two and walked two.

“(Klena) settled down and kept Mars off balance,” Cranberry Township manager Bill Clinefelter said. “This is no small field, but we both have to play on it. We got our chances.”

And both managers expect chances to remain, although just not as many. This has always been a tough series for both squads.

“It’s Game 3 and any time the series is tied, it’s a pivotal game,” Clinefelter said. “It was definitely a momentum swinger.

“We’ve definitely still got life. We’ll give it our best shot for Game 4 and hope for Game 5.”

Cranberry Twp. 101 000 0 — 2 7 1

Mars 200 002 0 — 4 7 0

W: Phil Shallenberger 7 IP (7K, 2BB). L: Matt Klena 6 IP (2K, 2BB).

Cranberry Twp: T.J. Zarewicz 1B, 2-2B, RBI; Brad Johnson RBI; Ben Follett 2-1B; Keith Kubit 1B; Mike Mulvey 1B

Mars: Nate Statzer 1B; Brendan Malone 2-1B; Bob Spithaler 2-1B, 2 RBI; Phil Shallenberger HR, 2 RBI; Joel Gatti 1B

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