MARS — Rest? Who needs rest?

Matt DeSalvo doesn't.

The Mars right-hander took the mound for the fourth time in eight days Friday night — all starts — and allowed one run on five hits in a 4-1 victory over Mars II in the first game of a best-of-5 Eagle County League semifinal series at Marburger Field.

DeSalvo has major-league experience. Between stints with the New York Yankees (2007) and Atlanta Braves (2008), he has pitched 29X\c innings in nine appearances. He started six games for the Yankees, tallying a 1-3 record.

He signed a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins in 2009, but was released three months ago.

Along with playing for Mars, the West Middlesex resident currently pitches for a couple of other teams. It was for those teams that he started within the last week.

"I didn't have reservations about pitching tonight," said DeSalvo. "I did get tired out there, but that's when I dropped down to sidearm to conserve some energy."

Mars outfielder Sam Sibeto introduced DeSalvo to the Eagle County League.

"This was his sixth or seventh appearance for us this season," said Mars manager Rob Fester. "I knew he had thrown a lot recently, but I wasn't worried about sending him out there tonight. He's as good a pitcher as you'll see in this league."

"We didn't face him before tonight," said Mars II manager Josh Rape. "He kept us off-balance the whole game. If you sit on his fastball, he'll throw something else at you."

DeSalvo, who graduated from Union High School in New Castle in 1998, struck out 10 and walked two Friday night.

When it comes to his arsenal of pitches, you name it and he probably throws it.

"My fastball tops out at 94 to 95 mph, but it was probably 89 tonight," he said. "Curveball, changeup, circle change, splitter, cutter — I throw it all."

Mars II scored its run in the top of the fifth inning, when Randy Schuetz led off with a double down the left-field line, moved to third on Anthony Ciafre's groundout and scored on a wild pitch to cut his team's deficit to 2-1.

Mars had scored a run in the bottom of the first when Paul Westwood's sacrifice fly plated Aaron Ordy.

Westwood added a solo home run in the fourth and Mike Bruno smacked a two-run shot in the sixth.

Mars II starter Brian Hart pitched well, throwing six innings while striking out four and walking one. He allowed the four runs on nine hits.

"Brian pitched great tonight," said Rape. "It was one of his best games all year."

Mars II 000 010 0 — 1 5 0Mars 100 102 x — 4 9 0W: Matt DeSalvo 7 IP (10K, 2BB).

L: Brian Hart 6 IP (4K, 1BB).

Mars II: Brian Hart 1B, Matt Rovnan 1B, Ryan Leonberg 1B, Randy Schuetz 1B 2B R

Mars: Keith Kuzma 2-1B, Aaron Ordy 1B R, Brendan Malone 1B, Paul Westwood 1B HR 2 RBI, Mike Bruno 1B HR 2 RBI, Matt Serakowski 1B

Saturday: Mars vs. Mars II, Game Two of best-of-five, 5 p.m. at Marburger Field