MARS — A late rally gave Saxonburg the lead, but Mars' bats still had something to say about the outcome of Game 3 in the Eagle County League Championship Series Tuesday evening at Marburger Field.

Bob Spithaler's one-out groundball with the bases loaded allowed John Taveras to score, capping a two-run bottom of the seventh and earning for Mars a 5-4 victory and a three-game sweep of rival Saxonburg.

It is the fourth straight league title for Mars.

“They (Saxonburg) had momentum, but we're a savvy team,” said Mars player/manager Brendan Malone. “We got punched in the mouth tonight, but the big thing was that we had the top of the order coming up in the seventh.”

Mars trailed 4-3 entering its final at-bat against Saxonburg starter Mick Fennell. Rob Fester, the No. 9 hitter, began the frame with a single. Ryan Jones followed by grounding into a fielder's choice before Taveras and Malone hit back-to-back singles. On the second base hit, a fielding error in the outfield allowed Jones to score to tie the game.

With runners at second and third base, Dan Penberthy was intentionally walked to load the bases. Spithaler's ensuing groundball bounced to Saxonburg shortstop Colin Williamson, who fired the ball toward the plate. The forceout was never recorded, however, as catcher John Campbell was unable to handle the throw. Taveras slid in safely and Mars' dugout erupted with celebration.

“It felt great to score the run that ended the series,” said Taveras. “I just want to help the team.

“My focus was just to get on base,” he added. “I was confident, with the guys hitting behind me, that I had a good chance to score.”

In the end, Saxonburg was two outs away from forcing a fourth game.

“A loss like this is very difficult to take,” said Saxonburg manager Dan Cunningham. “We seemed to have all the momentum on our side. I was very confident we'd win this game.”

For the first five innings, Mars starter Brian Zima had kept Saxonburg off the scoreboard while his teammates built him a 3-0 lead.

The visitors had tallied seven hits in that span, but it wasn't until the sixth frame when Saxonburg broke through.

Singles by Dustin Lalle and Mick Fennell, followed by a walk to Alex Ziegler, loaded the bases.

Zima was then relieved by eventual winning pitcher Jimmy Devine, who surrendered consecutive singles to Ryan Fennell and Bobby Swartwout. Two runs came home on Fennell's base hit and Ziegler scored when Malone misplayed Swartwout's hit to left. Later in the inning, Ryan Fennell put Saxonburg up 4-3 when he scored on a second error.

Devine finally exited the inning by striking out Ethan Williams and then retired Saxonburg in order in the top of the seventh.

“I thought we hit the ball well all game. We were making good contact,” said Cunningham. “We hit Devine right when he entered the game and that was the key to the inning.”

Mars jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Penberthy's single brought home Jones and Taveras in the bottom of the first.

The lead was pushed to 3-0 in the third as Spithaler's base hit plated Malone.

“Winning championships never gets old,” said Malone, who has been part of eight Eagle County League titles, including his previous years with Saxonburg. “It just makes me want to go out and do it over and over.”

One out when the winning run scored

Saxonburg 000 004 0 — 4 11 3

Mars 201 000 2 — 5 9 2

W: Jimmy Devine 2 IP (2K, 0BB). L: Mick Fennell 6.1 IP (6K, 3BB).

Saxonburg: Dustin Lalle 2-1B 2B R, Mick Fennell 2-1B R, Alex Ziegler R, Ryan Fennell 1B 2B R 2RBI, Bobby Swartwout 2-1B, Colin Williamson 1B, Ethan Williams 1B

Mars: Ryan Jones 2R, John Taveras 1B 2R, Brendan Malone 2-1B R, Dan Penberthy 1B 2B 2RBI, Sam Sibeto 1B, Rob Fester 2-1B, Bob Spithaler 1B RBI