FREEPORT — After winning two-thirds of its games during the regular season, Mars II faced the possibility of an early exit from the Eagle County baseball playoffs on Tuesday at Swartz Field.

“We didn't play all summer just to play two (playoff) games,” said Mars II player-manager Ryan Leonberg. “We want to keep on playing as long as we can.”

His team will have at least one more day on the diamond. Nick Rossmiller made sure of it.

Rossmiller tossed a one-hit shutout and led Mars II to a 2-0 win over Freeport in Game 2 of the first-round best-of-three series.

Freeport, the No. 6 seed, beat third-seeded Mars II by a 7-1 margin in Game 1. A decisive Game 3 is slated for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Callery Field.

Rossmiller — a Butler High grad who threw the first perfect game in Thiel College history this past spring — made it possible with seven strikeouts and just one walk.

“He was throwing a lot of strikes,” said Leonberg. “He was spotting his fastball really well and mixing it up.”

Rossmiller was working with fellow Butler grad and former Golden Tornado teammate John Crummy behind the plate.

“I give credit to my catcher John Crummy,” said Rossmiller. “He called a good game. He plays D-I, so he knows the art of pitching.”

The teamwork translated to an uphill battle for Freeport.

“The opposing pitcher threw a lot of first-pitch strikes. It's hard to battle back when you're always behind in the count,” said Freeport player-manager Kevin Rayburn. “There was a lot of defensive swings. He threw a good game.”

Rossmiller spoiled a strong outing from Freeport pitcher Randy Sturgill, who also went the distance and didn't allow a run until the sixth inning. He scattered 11 hits, struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.

“Early in the game, he was using his fastball a lot and they started hitting him a little bit,” said Rayburn. “A few balls dropped in the holes and that's how they won the game.”

Both teams had golden opportunities to break a scoreless tie in the fifth inning.

CJ Weigand ripped a one-out triple to right field for Mars II, but Sturgill — a former California University (Pa.) standout who went on to pitch in the Frontier League — escaped with back-to-back strikeouts.

“We knew they would be throwing their best,” said Leonberg.

Rossmiller's no-hit bid was broken up by Scott Lumley in the bottom of the fifth with a sinking line drive to right field. Matt Rovnan attempted to keep the no-hitter alive with a diving effort, but the ball skipped under his glove and allowed Lumley to coast into third with one out.

“I give him props for trying,” Rossmiller noted.

Mars II kept the shutout intact after second baseman Ryan Ganter knocked down a sharp grounder and Leonberg made a lunging stab on another hard-hit grounder at third base to end the threat.

“That was huge, especially coming out of Game 1 we only scored one run and hadn't had any runs this game to that point,” said Leonberg. “Holding them off the board was a pretty big mental boost for us.”

It showed.

Rossmiller led off the top of the sixth with a single, Crummy beat out an infield hit on a dribbler down the first-base line and a wild pitch put them at second and third with no outs.

Gabe Stephenson delivered an RBI single up the middle and Leonberg made it 2-0 with a base knock to left field.

Mars II tallied at least one hit in every prior inning, but couldn't cross the plate.

“We knew we would come through eventually and we finally broke through,” said Leonberg.

Freeport will try to bounce back in Game 3 behind starting pitcher Shawn Swartz.

“Hopefully, he can do what he's done all season — throw strikes and do well,” said Rayburn.

With one of his pitchers battling illness, Leonberg wasn't sure who will start on the hill for Mars II.

Rossmiller had a suggestion, though.

“I'm hoping I'm on the mound again,” he said. “We'll see.”

Mars II 000 002 0 — 2 11 1

Freeport 000 000 0 — 0 1 1

W: Nick Rossmiller 7IP (7K, 1BB). L: Randy Sturgill 7IP (8K, 0BB).

Mars II (23-12-1): Eric King 2-1B; Ryan Ganter 1B, SB; Nick Rossmiller 2B, 1B, R; John Crummy 2-1B, R; Gabe Stephenson 2-1B, RBI; Ryan Leonberg 1B, RBI; CJ Weigand 3B

Freeport (13-18-4): Scott Lumley 3B, Ryan Dzanaj BB

Wednesday: Freeport vs. Mars II, Game 3, at Callery Field