MARS — The Mars American Legion baseball team was looking for a big hit from Jacob Bartlett.

And it got one, sort of.

The right fielder came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, one out and the home team tied with Meridian at 6.

Meridian reliever Caleb Trombatt's pitch hit Bartlett in the arm, forcing in Justin Vancheri from third base to end a wild 7-6 affair in the Butler County American Legion losers bracket final Monday at Marburger Field.

Mars will face Prospect at 6 p.m. today at the Slippery Rock High field. Prospect is undefeated in the tournament and must lose two games to Mars to be eliminated.

"I'm sure I've seen a game end on a hit-batsman before, but I can't remember when," said longtime Mars coach Bob Steiner. But even he had to shake his head after this one.

Mars came back from a 4-2 deficit after 4Z\x innings of play to lead 6-5 entering the seventh.

Mars reliever Ryan Schroth gave up a one-out double to Christos Klutinoty, who moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored to tie the game on a fielding error.

Mars' half of the seventh inning began with an infield single by Justin Vancheri and a double by Zach Bear.

Trombatt, who had entered the game with one on and no outs in the sixth inning, hit Dave Pierre with a pitch to load the bases before Bartlett stepped to the plate.

"We've lost a few games like that in the seventh inning this season," said Meridian coach Butch Master. "But we've got a young team and we fought back today.

"This team isn't about banners and stuff like that. These kids are just about fighting back and winning baseball games."

It was Mars looking to fight back after Meridian scored a combined four runs in the second and third innings.

An RBI single from Tyler Rajchel in the second inning was followed by a two-run single by Trombatt in the third to put Meridian up 3-2.

Trombatt scored later on a wild pitch from Mars starter Chip Hasek for a 4-2 edge.

It was an up-and-down outing for Hasek, who struck out seven, walked four and surrendered five runs on six hits in 5Z\c innings, but Steiner was satisfied with one aspect of his starting pitcher's performance.

"He kept us in the game, so he did his job," Steiner said. "Toward the end there, he started to come up with his pitches and that's when I knew it was time to make a move."

Schroth got the win after pitching 1X\c innings. He allowed one run on one hit.

Meridian (15-9) started Zach Vasey on the mound, and, after allowing two first-inning runs to Mars, he settled down for the next three innings.

From the second inning through the fourth, Vasey allowed a total of three base runners and was aided by Zach Bear getting thrown out at the plate.

It was in the fifth that Vasey ran into trouble, allowing the first five batters to reach base.

"He's pitched for me before in the Pony and Colt leagues," said Master. "He's developed into a good pitcher and he uses his fastball well."

Luke Dugger pitched one-third of an inning of relief before Trombatt was brought in.

Hasek delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth that gave Mars (16-7) a 5-4 lead. He ended the game with four RBI.

"He's been batting cleanup in our order most of the year and has been consistent for us," said Steiner.

Mars' Josh Bender drilled a double to the left-field corner in the sixth frame, which scored Shane Bruce for a 6-5 lead.

Meridian 013 001 1—6 7 1Mars 200 031 1—7 9 1Zach Vasey (2K, 5BB), Luke Dugger (5, 0 K, 2 BB), Caleb Trombatt (6) and Tanner Master; Chip Hasek (7 K, 4 BB), Ryan Schroth (6) and Justin Vancheri.

W: Schroth (0 K, 0 BB).

L: Trombatt (1 K, 0 BB).

Meridian (15-9): Luke Dugger 1B R, Caleb Trombatt 1B R 2 RBI, Christos Klutinoty 2-2B R, Cory Achezinski 1B R, Tanner Master R, Ryan Kradel 1B SB, Tyler Rajchel 1B RBI, Zach Vasey R RBI

Mars (16-7): Lee Lawver 2B RBI, Ryan Schroth 1B 2R 2SB, Josh Bender 1B 2B 2R RBI 3SB, Chip Hasek 2-1B 4 RBI, Justin Vancheri 1B R, Zach Bear 2B, Jacob Bartlett 1B RBI, Shane Bruce 2R

Today: Mars vs. Prospect, 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock High School