BUTLER TWP — Curt Schnur wasn't about to let this one slip away.

The Saxonburg right-hander struck out the side against the potent and dangerous Mars lineup in the sixth inning and initiated a 1-6-3 double play to end the game in the seventh.

In doing so, he preserved a 5-4 win in Game 2 of the Eagle County League best-of-five championship series at Highfield Park Thursday.

The series is even at one game apiece. Game 3 will move back to Callery today.

"He bore down," said Saxonburg manager Dan Cunningham of Schnur. "He could smell it. He wanted the ball."

Schnur, who always works quickly and efficiently, squeezed out of a tight jam in the top of the first as Mars loaded the bases, but managed just one run.

Schnur struck out five, walked two and gave up four runs, although only two were earned.

Mars player-manager RobFester gave more credit for the loss to his team's dormant bats than to Schnur.

"We have to come out hitting," Fester said.

There was nothing dormant about the bats of Saxonburg's Brendan Malone and Aaron Ordy.

Malone went 4-for-4 with a long home run that cleared the scoreboard to lead off the third inning. The left-handed leadoff hitter also tripled and singled twice.

Meanwhile, Ordy, another left-handed hitter, went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.

"Those two were unbelievable," Cunningham said. "Those two lefties went to work tonight."

Ordy's home run tied the score at 1 in the bottom of the second inning. The two teams, rivals for years and perennial threats to win the championship, traded runs for the next two innings before Saxonburg pushed across the eventual winning run in the fifth.

Schnur was hit by a pitch, and pinch runner Scott Rice stole second and scored on an RBI single by Ordy off Mars starter Chris Kelly.

The right-hander pitched well, striking out four.

"Chris was hurting, but he was still wanted to be out there. He didn't want to come out," Fester said. "He's a warrior."

Mars' Dan DeMarco smashed a two-run double in the sixth, but Schnur got Ron Talik to strike out to end the threat.

In the seventh, Rob Harris singled with one out, but pinch hitter Sam Sibeto hit a sharp grounder back to Schnur, who began a perfectly executed double play to end the game.

Sibeto was supposed to make the start in Game 2, but suffered a hamstring injury late in the series opener and was scratched.

Saxonburg has won the last three league titles. To add a fourth consecutive title, the club must find a way to quell the Mars bats at the bandbox that is Callery Field.

"They have been together for a while and they are a good hitting team," Cunningham said.

Saxonburg will throw Derek Blyzwick in Game 3. Mars' starter is to be determined.

"We really needed this one or else Mars would have had complete control of the series," Cunningham said.

Mars 101 200 0—4 6 0Saxonburg 012 110 x—5 8 3Chris Kelly and DanDemarco; Curt Schnur and Justin Demek.

W: Schnur (5 K, 2 BB).

L: Kelly (4 K, 3 BB).

Mars (28-4): Matt Nowaczynski 1B, Mike Bruno HR RBI, Rob Fester 1B RBI, Dan DeMarco 2B, Ron Talik 1B RBI, Bob Harris 1B

Saxonburg (24-8): Brendan Malone HR 3B 2-1B RBI, AaronOrdy HR 2-1B 3-RBI, Sandy Sanderson RBI, Schnur 1B

Today: Game 3, Saxonburg vs. Mars at Callery, 6 p.m.