MARS — Mars I has a reputation of being a power hitting team, but to capture the Eagle County Baseball championship on Saturday, the team took what Saxonburg gave it.

Mars tallied three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, thanks in part to four walks, an error and just one hit en route to a 4-2 victory in Game 3, completing a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series at Marburger Field.

The title is Mars' first since 2003 and snapped Saxonburg's four-year championship run.

"These are two great teams,' said Mars manager Rob Fester. "It's as much a compliment to them as it is to us ¿ It's a lot of hard work. Hats off to them."

"We had opportunities and so did they," said Saxonburg manager Dan Cunningham. "Give them credit. I don't feel bad losing the series. We played them three years in a row. Rob certainly was determined to come back this year and win it."

Like Game 2, Mars had left plenty of runners on base, including seven in the first five innings Saturday before finally breaking out against Saxonburg hurler Josh Marchinoski.

Paul Westwood opened the frame with a walk, then Brian Slavicek followed with a single. Don Dell's grounder was speared by second baseman Sandy Sanderson, but his throw from the ground rolled past first base and down toward the backstop, allowing courtesy runner Dan Berty to score to tie the game at 2.

After a fielder's choice put runners at second and third base, pinch hitter Mike DeWine was intentionally walked after Marchinoski fell behind in the count 2-0. With the bases loaded, Sam Sibeto hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give Mars its first lead of the night.

"It was starting to get a little scary," said Fester. "We had opportunities and not cashing in. Before Sam hit that sacrifice fly, I looked at him and said, 'Can you get this done?' I said I'd pinch hit for him and he said, no, he'd get it done."

Marchinoski walked Ryan Salazar to load the bases, then walked Matt Nowaczynski to plate another run.

Saxonburg received a one-out ground-rule double in the top of the seventh ¿ a controversial call that was originally ruled a home run ¿ from Adam Brydon, but Mars pitcher Tim Mosley struck out Dan Pickard and Rob Cochran to end the game.

Mosley finished the game with five strikeouts, one walk and scattered six hits.

"I'll take a bulldog like him any time," said Fester. "He's the kind of pitcher you expect in the close game. He's been in there before. That's why he's in there."

It was a rough start to the game as Brendan Malone homered on the first pitch of the game over the right field fence.

Mars knotted the game at one in the third inning when Mike Bruno lined a two-out RBI single following singles by Sibeto and Nowaczynski. Still, Mars couldn't capitalize more as it left the bases loaded.

Saxonburg countered with a run in the fourth inning. Steve Hall smacked an RBI double over left-fielder Nowaczynski's head.

Marchinoski, who lost to Mars 9-0 in Game 1 on Thursday, gave Saxonburg a strong game. He allowed just one walk until he gave up four in the sixth inning.

"He had more control and pitched about as well as he did (in a semifinal game) against Natrona Heights," said Cunningham. "He was determined when he got here to make up for that first outing."

The game was indicative of the way these teams perform year in and year out. Either Mars and/or Saxonburg has reached the league finals each year since 1995, winning 12 of the 14 titles (Mars seven; Saxonburg five).

"It's been good," said Cunningham. "They know as well as we do that Saxonburg and Mars I are usually there at the end."

Another feather in Mars' cap was that pitcher Chris Kelly and outfielder Mike Bruno were named co-MVPs of the league.

"I couldn't single either one out," said Fester. "There were others that were deserving, too."

Notes: Bruno finished with three hits and an RBI while Brydon had a double and single for Saxonburg ¿ Mars and Saxonburg have met in the finals six times since 2001 with Mars winning four.

Saxonburg 100 100 0—2 6 2Mars I 001 003 x—4 7 1W: Tim Mosley 7 IP (5 K, 1 BB).

L: Josh Marchinoski 5X\c IP (0 K, 5 BB).

Saxonburg (22-12-1): Brendan Malone HR; Chase Rowe 1B; Austin Leffler 1B; Steve Hall 2B, RBI; Adam Brydon 1B, 2B

Mars I (31-3-1): Matt Nowaczynski 1B, RBI; Mike Bruno 3-1B, RBI; Brian Slavicek 1B; Don Dell 1B; Sam Sibeto 1B, RBI