MARS — Michael Patsch turned out to be just what the doctor ordered for Cranberry Township.

Facing elimination in the best-of-five Eagle County League title series against Mars on Wednesday, Patsch delivered a gem of a performance, allowing just one unearned run on four hits in a 3-1 victory at Marburger Field.

“This was the first time I faced these guys,” said Patsch, who had last pitched in Game 5 of the semifinal series against Mars II, earning a save. “I just tried to throw strikes and get ahead in the count. My curveball was working well today and it helped feed my fastball.”

Patsch's effort pushed the series to a Game 4, to be played at 6 p.m. today at North Boundary Park.

The right-hander didn't surrender a hit until Brandon Bergstrom's single in the bottom of the fifth. Patsch then worked out of a jam in the seventh frame.

Dan Penberthy led off with a single and with two outs, G.J. Senchak reached on an error. Sam Sibeto, Sr. followed with an RBI-single, but with the tying run at first base, Patsch got Sam Sibeto, Jr. to ground out.

Patsch, an incoming senior at St. Vincent College, struck out eight and walked two. Both free passes came in the first inning. He pitched a perfect fourth frame with all three outs coming by strikeout.

“Mars is a dead fastball hitting team,” said Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter, “and Michael's breaking ball really kept them off balanced tonight. When they did make contact, the ball was hit right at someone.”

Mars player/manager Brendan Malone was not impressed with Patsch.

“He didn't have all that much tonight,” he said. “The (infield) shadows were pretty bad and there were some bad calls that went against us. It was a bad day for us and we just didn't get it done.”

Cranberry (23-13-1) went up in the second inning when Reed Tomlinson singled and scored on Ryan Owens' base hit off of Mars starter Jake Pilewicz.

Owens, the team's No. 8 hitter, drove in another run with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fifth.

“That home run was unexpected,” said Clinefelter, “but this field caters to left-handed hitters. We're usually on the other side of that here.”

Pilewicz pitched well despite taking the loss, allowing the three runs on four hits in six innings of work.

Rob Fester pitched a scoreless top of the seventh inning for Mars (26-6-1).

Cranberry arrived to the title series after rallying from a two-games-to-none deficit in the semifinals. It now looks to duplicate that effort against Mars.

“That seems to be our theme,” said Clinefelter.

Cranberry Twp. 010 011 0 — 3 4 2

Mars 000 000 1 — 1 4 1

W: Michael Patsch 7 IP (8K, 2BB). L: Jake Pilewicz 6 IP (7K, 5BB).

Cranberry Township (23-13-1): Clayton Bouchard 1B, Reed Tomlinson 1B R, T.J. Kuny R, Ryan Owens 1B HR 2RBI

Mars (26-6-1): Dan Penberthy 1B, Brent McCormick R, Brandon Bergstrom 1B, Sam Sibeto, Sr. 1B RBI, Brian Slavicek 1B

Today: Mars vs. Cranberry Township, Game 4 at North Boundary Park, 6 p.m.