CRANBERRY TWP — Brandon Rossier saw more of the same Thursday night and he's not complaining.

The player/manager of the Captains' Eagle County League baseball team, Rossier saw the form that lifted the squad to an 18-3-1 record during the regular season.

Solid pitching, a potent offense and error-free defensive play combined in an 8-2 victory over Cranberry Township in the first game of a best-of-5 semifinal series at North Boundary Park.

Game 2 is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the same venue.

The Captains received a first-round bye and had not played in a week.

“We've been a strong all-around team this year and it was great to come out and get a win to start this series,” said Rossier.

Tallying at least one hit in every inning, the Captains' bats did their real damage in the middle innings, scoring all eight runs between the third and fifth frames.

Matt Costello got things started with a 2-run double in the third, after which his team led 3-0. Anthony Cinicola contributed a run-scoring single to a 2-run fourth.

The Captains chased Cranberry starting pitcher Lake Pry from the game with one out in the fifth. Hunter Alexander and Austin Young both drove in a run with a base hit off reliever Justin Orlowski, though both runs were charged to Pry.

“We started off a bit slow with the timely hitting today, but we ended up with a lot of hits at great times and everybody contributed,” said Rossier.

“We've done it this year, get in trouble with walking guys and they (Captains) can hit the ball,” said Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter. “We left Lake in, wanted to get as much as we could out of him. You're playing for today, but also for the future. You have to watch how you use your pitchers.”

Cranberry scored both of its runs in the top of the fourth as Nash Matson doubled in one run and Danny Lynch brought home another tally with an infield single. That cut the Captain lead to 3-2, but Cranberry was unable to keep them at bay over the next two innings.

Cory Pullen pitched six innings for the win, striking out seven and walking two. He has pitched in all four games against Cranberry this season and Clinefelter has become very familiar with him.

“He has a fastball, slider, change-up and can locate the ball well,” said Clinefelter.

Luke Engel worked a scoreless seventh inning to cap the win.

“We believe we have three or four great starters,” said Rossier. “We'll find out now that the playoffs are here.”

Cranberry Twp. 000 200 0 — 2 6 1

Captains 003 230 x — 8 11 0

W: Cory Pullen 6 IP (7K, 2BB). L: Lake Pry 4.1 IP (3K, 2BB).

Cranberry Township (17-8-1): Jeremy Iellimo 2B, Nash Matson 2B RBI, Danny Lynch 3-1B RBI

Captains (19-3-1): Anthony Cinicola 2-1B R RBI, Matt Costello 2B 2RBI, Brandon Rossier 1B 2B R, Hunter Alexander 1B 2B RBI, Austin Young 2-1B R RBI

Friday: Cranberry Township vs. Captains, Game 2 at North Boundary Park

Mars 10, Sliders 0

Jim Devine gave up just two hits on the mound as Mars needed just five innings to defeat the Sliders in the first game of the semifinal round at Callery Field.

Devine threw a complete game through five innings with eight strikeouts and just one walk.

Noah Hanson had the lone Sliders' hits with two doubles, while Brandon Mallon led the way for Mars with a double and a home run.

For Mars, Scott Bentera added a homerun and a single, while Dan Berti collected a single with two RBI.

Game 2 of the series will take place Friday at 6 p.m. at Callery Field.