CRANBERRY TWP — The big hit did not elude Mars for a second straight day. Several came off the team’s bats Wednesday evening.

Five hits ignited a 6-run fourth frame as Mars took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 Eagle County League championship series with an 8-5 victory over Cranberry Township in Game 3 at North Boundary Park.

Mars had scored just two runs in a Game 2 loss Tuesday.

“We were down 3-0 (in the third inning) and it was looking bleak,” said Mars player/manager Brendan Malone of Wednesday’s contest. “Then we get that double play. It was huge.”

It came with the bases loaded and Dalyn Brickner at the plate. Cranberry had already scored two runs in the inning thanks to RBI-singles from Damian Yenzi and Matt Evans. Further damage was averted when Mars reliever got Brickner to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Mars' AJ Pagone, left, gives five to Brendan Koroly after scoring a run vs. Cranberry Township on Wednesday evening in Game 3 of the Eagle County baseball final. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 8/9/23

Afterward, Mars wasted no time in gaining the upper hand. It had failed to get a hit off Cranberry starter Alex Tomsic in the first three innings, but Lemley singled to lead off the fourth. Rick Devereaux was hit by a pitch and Zach Murray walked to load the bases.

Malone, Noah Gabriel and Brendan Koroly each singled in a run, Murray scored on a wild pitch and with two outs, Ray Scala’s base hit plated two more.

“Alex is a good pitcher,” said Cranberry player/manager Bill Clinefelter. “It was just one bad inning today where the wheels fell off.”

Cranberry Township’s Matt Evans leads off from first base vs. Mars on Wednesday evening in Game 3 of the Eagle County baseball final. Rick Devereaux is Mars’ first baseman. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 8/9/23

Mars (23-5) scored two more in the fifth, including one on Malone’s double. Meanwhile, Lemley held the hosts scoreless in the fourth through sixth innings. Matt Evans, who drove in four runs on the day, collected the last two with a double in the seventh. Johnny Brittner came to the plate as the tying run, but popped out to end the game.

Lemley earned the win with four strikeouts and one walk.

“He’s been great for us since he joined our team a few years ago,” Malone said. “He pitched 6 2/3 innings in the (series-clinching) win last year. He plays to win and we feel good about our chances when he’s on the mound.”

Mars' Brendan Koroly makes contact with the ball vs. Cranberry Township in the third inning on Wednesday evening in Game 3 of the Eagle County baseball final. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 8/9/23

AJ Pagone started the game and worked one batter into the third inning.

“Dave’s hip has been bothering him and we figured he wouldn’t be able to give us seven innings, so we thought we’d surprise them by starting AJ and get at least a couple of innings out of him,” Malone said.

Jesse Clary and Evans both had three of Cranberry’s 10 hits.

Cranberry (20-11-1) has scored 11 runs thus far in the series. They need two straight wins to claim the championship.

“Scoring 10 runs is not our game,” said Clinefelter. “We’ll have to win two low-scoring games.”

Cranberry Township’s Nash Matson, right, celebrates with Brandon Pouch after scoring a run vs. Mars on Wednesday evening in Game 3 of the Eagle County baseball final. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 8/9/23

Game 4 is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Mars High School field.

Mars 000 620 0 — 8 7 2

Cranberry Twp. 102 000 2 — 5 10 0

W: Dave Lemley 5 IP (4K, 1BB). L: Alex Tomsic 7 IP (4K, 3BB).

Mars (23-5): Ray Scala 1B 2RBI, Zach Murray 1B 2R, Brendan Malone 1B 2B 2R 2RBI, Noah Gabriel 1B R RBI, Brendan Koroly 1B R RBI

Cranberry Township (20-11-1): Jesse Clary 3-1B 3R, Damian Yenzi 2-1B R RBI, Matt Evans 2-1B 2B 4RBI

Thursday: Cranberry Township vs. Mars, Game 4 at Mars HS field, 6 p.m.