Hard-earned win
MARS — Good teams find ways to score — even when hits are hard to find.
In Thursday's Game 4 of the Eagle County League semifinals at Marburger Field, Mars II scratched, clawed and, in the end, found a way to score three runs on two hits to beat Mars I 3-2 in eight innings.
The win earned Mars II a 3-1 series win and sends the team to the best-of-five title series against Freeport. It will be the first championship series appearance for Mars II, which began play in 2004.
"Getting to the championship has always been our goal," said Mars II player-coach Josh Rape, who has been with the team all six seasons. "It's great to know we finally put together a team that's good enough to get there."
With the score tied at 2 entering the bottom of the eighth, Mars II had only one hit — Anthony Ciafre's single in the sixth — but Weston Hillegas led off the frame with a single.
With one out, Ciafre walked to put runners at first and second before Phil Double followed with a groundball to Mars I third baseman Paul Westwood. He stepped on the bag for a force out, but his throw to first was high, bounced off the fence and rolled toward right field, allowing Ciafre to score the winning run.
Though the game ended with a throwing error, Mars I player-coach Rob Fester reflected on his team's many missed opportunities.
The team left nine runners on base, including failing to score after loading the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth inning against Mars II starter Scott Jordan.
"We didn't hit the ball the way we're capable of," said Fester, who saw his team drop a 2-0 decision in Game 3 Wednesday. "The last two games, their pitchers shut down our hitters."
Jordan earned the win Thursday, pitching all eight innings and giving up two runs on nine hits. He struck out eight and walked four.
"I was tired at the end, but the adrenaline kept me going," said Jordan. "My teammates were behind me and I knew I just had to throw strikes."
Mars I's Mike Devine also pitched a great game in a losing effort. The right-hander gave up two hits while striking out 11 and walking seven.
"Mike's a great young pitcher and he's only going to get better," said Fester.
Mars I broke a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Pinch-runner Dan Berty scored on Westwood's groundout and Jim Ahlborn drove in Mike Bruno with a single.
But Mars II responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning when Matt Rovnan walked and ended up scoring on a throwing error. Ciafre's single not only broke up Devine's no-hitter, but also scored Ryan Ganter to tie the game at 2.
The best-of-5 championship series will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at a site to be determined and marks the first season since 1994 that the series involves neither Mars I nor Saxonburg.
Mars I 000 002 00 — 2 9 4Mars II 000 002 01 — 3 2 0W: Scott Jordan (8 IP) 8 K, 4 BB.
L: Mike Devine (7X\c IP) 11 K, 7 BB.
Mars I (26-8): Don Dell 1B, Mike Bruno 1B 2B R, Paul Westwood RBI, Sam Sibeto 1B 2B, Brian Slavicek 2-1B, Dan Berty R, Jim Ahlborn 2-1B RBI
Mars II (20-15-1): Matt Rovnan R, Weston Hillegas 1B, Anthony Ciafre 1B R RBI, Ryan Ganter R
