FREEPORT - Down 2-0 in its best-of-five semifinal series against Eagle County League defending champion Mars was not a place Freeport player-manager Wayne Greiser wanted to be.

The River Pirates were the No. 1 seed but were looking a disappointing elimination in the face.

"Oh yeah," Greiser said. "We didn't want to be in that situation against a good team like Mars."

But Freeport was undaunted, winning the next two games to force the deciding game Tuesday evening at Swartz Field.

Freeport (25-6) jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after two innings and then held off Mars to win the game 5-3 and most importantly, to earn a trip to its first Eagle County League championship series.

"It was big to keep them off the board in the top of the first and then get our runs in the bottom of the inning," Greiser said.

Mars cut the lead to 5-3 in the third inning and Freeport was hearing the ticking sound of the Mars offense.

"There were a little bit of nerves there," Greiser said.

But Freeport starting pitcher Greg Fryman kept the Mars bats silent by spotting his fastball and changing speeds.

He struck out 10 and walked just one in seven innings to increase his record to 10-1. He also has a save this season.

"We were up two going into the final inning and there was no one in the bullpen," Greiser said. "I have a lot of confidence in him."

Freeport used small ball to score three runs in the first inning, pushing runs across on a single, a groundout and perfectly executed squeeze play by Greiser.

"The big thing we wanted to do was manufacture runs and get the lead early," Greiser said. "We wanted to keep adding runs every inning. It didn't work out that way, but we scored enough to win."

Manufacturing runs was particularly important against Mars starter Brian Zima.

Zima survived the first two rocky innings and settled down. He did give up a line-drive, two-run home run to right field to Chad Harbison in the second inning, but allowed just three hits after that.

"Brian pitched a great game," said Mars player-manager Mike Sheehy.

Mars' Rob Ronk drove in a run with a double and then scored on a two-run homer to right by Greg Schuetz in the top of the third inning. But Fryman also settled down and gave up just one hit after the home run.

"With Mars you never know," Greiser said. "They get a guy on and then a home run and we're tied."

But that didn't happen in what will be most likely Sheehy's final game.

Sheehy, who played most of the season with a bad right arm, said he probably won't return to the league after 11 years and six championships.

"I'm a little emotional right now," Sheehy said. 'I was born in Mars and played Legion ball in Mars. We won six championships and that's pretty good."

Sheehy and Mars suffered through a season full of adversity.

In the first game of the season, top pitcher Rob Fester injured his knee and missed the season.

But Mars managed to slip into the playoffs and came within a game of returning to the finals again.

"No one expected us to be up 2-0 on Freeport," Sheehy said. "It's tough to win when you don't have pitching.

"We played the game the way it should be played. We just went out and tried to outscore everyone. But the thing we always tried to do is have fun. It was always about having fun," he added.

Game 1 of the championship series pitting No. 1 seed Freeport against No. 2 seed Saxonburg will be played Thursday.

It won't be at Swartz Field because the Freeport High School football team will begin practice there.

Every game might be held at Highfield in Butler Township, but the decision won't be made until tonight.

Mars 003 000 0 - 3 6 0

Freeport 320 000 x - 5 8 0

WP:

Greg Fryman (7 IP) 8 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Brian Zima (6 IP) 4 strikeouts, 0 walks

Mars (16-17):

Rob Ronk 1B, 2B; Greg Schuetz HR, 2-RBI; Greg Reinhart 1B; Ron Talic 1B; Zima 1B

Freeport (25-6):

Josh Harbison HR, 1B; Bill Daugherty 1B; Greg Samsom 2-1B, RBI; Keith Kubit 1B; Wayne Greiser 2-1B, RBI; Ken Bissell 2B

Thursday:

Saxonburg vs. Freeport, Game 1 of championship series at site and time to be determined.