CRANBERRY TWP - The final three outs were supposed to be uneventful, a mere formality.

Someone forgot to tell that to Natrona Heights.

The team entered its final at-bat trailing Cranberry 5-3, having collected just five hits until that point.

Then came a leadoff single, followed by another base hit, then another.

Natrona Heights didn't stop until it had scored six runs on seven hits in the top of the seventh, leading to a 9-5 comeback win in Game 3 of the Eagle County League semifinal series Tuesday evening at North Boundary Park.

Game 4 of the best-of-five set is slated for 6 p.m. today at the Highlands High School Field.

The winner of this series will face Saxonburg in the league championship series.

Natrona Heights went from waiting until next year to preparing for another game with Cranberry after just a few swings of the bat.

"I can't explain it," said Natrona Heights player-coach Chad Gourley. "We just finally started swinging the bats. But this one feels real good after blowing (Monday) night's game."

Gourley was referring to his team's inability to hold a 9-7 lead in Game 2. Cranberry scored six runs in its final at-bat to win and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

In Tuesday's game, Cranberry's Adam Martin strolled to the mound in the top of the seventh inning unaware that he'd be chased from the game before recording an out.

The team's pitchers had kept the game close, but even with a modest 5-3 lead, this game was Cranberry's - or so it seemed.

Four straight singles off the bats of Cy Haponski, Kris Kemp, Andrew Andryka and Fred Federicci yielded one run, cutting the home team's lead to 5-4.

That's when Zak Sabotka delivered the deciding blow - a bases-clearing triple to right center off of Martin, giving Natrona its first lead since a 1-0 advantage after the first half inning.

Relief pitcher Mike Jewart was the recipient of his team's avalanche of offense, grabbing the win after pitching the fifth and six innings.

"The key for (Natrona) was that they kept the game close enough so that they felt they had a chance going into the last inning," said Cranberry player-coach Bill Clinefelter.

After the triple, Greg Miller relieved Martin, only to allow Sabotka to score from third base on a wild pitch.

Natrona Heights scored another run before relying on T.J. Muehlfeld to get the final three outs in the bottom of the inning.

Staring Cranberry in the face after the team came so close to closing the series were the 15 runners it left on base.

The team stranded at least two runners in every inning but the second. It left the bases loaded in both the first and fifth innings.

The outcome spoiled the offensive performances of Mike Gogolin and Jason Swalga, who collected three hits each for Cranberry.

Andryka had three hits for Natrona, including a double and a solo home run.

"I hope that our players can get this game out of their minds by tomorrow," said Clinefelter. "We're still up two games to one. (Natrona) still has to win two straight from us."

Natrona Hts. 110 010 6 - 9 12 1

Cranberry 201 110 0 - 5 12 0

WP:

Mike Jewart (2 IP) 4 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP:

Adam Martin (6+ IP) 2 strikeouts, 1 walk

Natrona Heights (19-13):

Kris Kemp 2-1B 2R, Andrew Andryka 1B 2B HR 2R 2RBI, Zak Sabotka 3B R 3RBI

Cranberry (19-12-1):

Mike Gogolin 2-1B 2B 3RBI, Jason Swalga 3-1B RBI, Bill Clinefelter 1B 2B RBI, Greg Miller 1B 2R

Today:

Cranberry @ Natrona Heights, Game 4 at Highlands High School Field, 6 p.m.