BUTLER TWP - You couldn't find a blemish on Mike Jewart's pitching record entering Saturday's game.

So much for staying perfect.

The Natrona Heights right-hander entered Saturday's Eagle County League championship series opening game with a 4-0 record.

But the pitcher picked the wrong day to get wild.

Jewart offered up six free passes in three-plus innings pitched against Saxonburg, and all six came around to score in a 15-3, six-inning decision at Highfield Park.

"I think those were the first runs he's given up all season," said Natrona Heights player-coach Chad Gourley of Jewart, who was officially charged with 10 runs on just four hits in the loss.

Jewart entered the bottom of the third inning with a 3-0 lead after having allowed one base runner in each of the first two innings, but he walked the first three batters he faced to load the bases.

Chase Rowe cleared the bases with a double to right-center.

A hit-batsman, followed by another walk and it was Jason Curry's turn to collect three RBIs on a two-base hit.

Suddenly, Saxonburg was ahead 6-3 and the defending league champions would make it 8-3 by the time the inning was finished.

"That really hits a team hard," said Gourley. "When you're up 3-0 and then they come back on you."

"I think that whole inning made (Natrona Heights) feel uneasy," said Saxonburg coach Dan Cunningham. "They had their number one pitcher on the mound and we get (eight) runs on four walks and just (three) hits."

Jewart was finally relieved by Kris Kemp two batters into the fourth inning, but the damage was done.

If Saxonburg's big inning wasn't enough to dim Natrona Heights' spirit, Curt Schnur's pitching was.

The veteran, after giving up three runs on four hits in the first inning, allowed just five base runners the rest of the game. He struck out five and walked one in the victory.

Saxonburg added two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and two more in the sixth to end the game via the mercy rule.

The team tallied seven extra-base hits and was led by Rowe's seven RBI on a single and two doubles.

The game couldn't have begun any better for Natrona Heights.

The team collected four straight hits with one out off of Schnur in the top of the first.

Chris Turka, Gourley and Fred Federicci all drove in a run in the frame.

"That's the only time I can ever remember a team coming out and hitting Curt like that in the first inning," said Cunningham. "But give credit to our guys. They didn't let it get them down and they came right back at them."

Game 2 of the best-of-five-series will be played at 6 p.m. today at the Highlands High School Field.

Natrona Hts. 300 000 x - 3 8 2

Saxonburg 008 232 x - 15 10 1

WP:

Curt Schnur (6 IP) 5 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Mike Jewart (3+ IP) 2 strikeouts, 6 walks

Natrona Heights (21-14):

Chad Gourley 2-1B R RBI, Kris Kemp 2-1B, Chris Turka 2B R RBI

Saxonburg (27-6):

Brendan Malone 1B 2-2B 3R RBI, Chase Rowe 1B 2-2B 3R 7RBI, Steve Hall 2-2B R 2RBI, Jason Curry 2B R 3RBI, Sandy Sanderson 2R, Jeff Foster 2R, Matt DeSantis 1B R RBI

Today:

Saxonburg at Natrona Heights, Game 2 @ Highlands High School Field, 6 p.m.