MARS — At least Cranberry Township had the right idea.

The Eagle County League squad entered Game 3 Monday after losing the first two games of its semifinal series to Mars I by a combined score of 36-11.

Facing a powerful Mars squad at home run-happy Marburger Field in a must-win contest, Cranberry showed some pop in its lineup with three home runs, but all three were solo blasts in an 8-4 loss, sending Mars to the league championship series against either Zelienople or Saxonburg.

Mars hit two home runs of its own in the game, a two-run shot from player/coach Rob Fester in the bottom of the fourth inning that put his team up 5-3 before Greg Reinhart belted a three-run homer in the fifth inning that made it 8-3.

"We hit five home runs in the series and all of them were solo shots," said Cranberry Township player/coach Bill Clinefelter. "Mars hit five home runs in the series and I believe all five were either two or three-run homers.

"We're more of a small-ball team," he added. "We normally don't hit for much power."

Cranberry's home runs included fourth-inning blasts from Brendan Steiner and Ben Follett, and Chris Dubensky's round-tripper that closed the scoring in the top of the seventh.

All three homers were charged to Mars' Matt Colella, who pitched a complete game with eight strike outs and two walks. He was charged with four earned runs on 13 hits in hot and muggy conditions.

Cranberry broke the ice with a run in the top of the first inning when Greg Samson's base hit plated Justin Waychoff.

Mars went down quietly in the bottom of the first inning, but the team's potent lineup began flexing its muscles soon after.

Paul Westwood doubled to lead off the second before scoring on Ron Talik's single to center field.

Two fielding errors gave Mars two insurance runs in the third inning before Fester and Reinhart's long balls capped the win.

"We hit very well in the first two games of this series," said Fester. "A team isn't going to shut our lineup down for a whole game."

Westwood, Fester, Talik and Steve Cunningham contributed two hits each to Mars' cause.

Justin Waychoff had three hits for Cranberry, while Samson, Bill Stehle and Follett each managed two.

Adam Martin shouldered the season-ending defeat for Cranberry. He pitched 4Z\c innings with four walks and no strikeouts. He surrendered six earned runs on 10 hits.

Game three between Saxonburg and Zelienople at Highfield Park was rained out Monday. It will be made up at 6 p.m. today.

Cranberry Twp. 100 200 1—4 13 2Mars I 012 230 x—8 11 0WP: Matt Colella (7 IP) 8 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP: Adam Martin (4Z\c IP) 0 strikeouts, 4 walks

Cranberry Twp. (17-16): Justin Waychoff 1B 2-2B R, Justin Papania 1B, Greg Samson 2-1B RBI, Brendan Steiner HR, Bill Stehle 2-1B, Ben Follett 2B HR, Justin Patsilevas 1B, Chris Dubensky HR

Mars II (28-2): Rob Arata 2R, Mike Sheehy 1B, Paul Westwood 1B 2B 2R, Greg Reinhart HR 2R 3 RBI, Rob Fester 1B HR 2 RBI, Ron Talik 2-1B RBI, Chip Galaska 1B, Steve Cunningham 2-1B R

Next: Mars I vs. Zelienople/Saxonburg winner, Championship series, TBA