FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Baseball is a grind. The game is measured in outs, not by a clock.

Marian has been through situations like this plenty of times this season, so the latest chapter felt familiar for the Colts. For 5 1/2 innings, however, the outcome hung in the balance.

Marian struggled to solve Minersville pitcher Nolan Piesnarski. The Colts managed just two hits through five innings and rarely threatened offensively. Piesnarski stayed in control throughout, barely breaking a sweat and reaching a full count only once.

Then everything changed for the Colts.

Marian found its rhythm at the plate and erupted for a four-run rally at exactly the right time. The Colts advanced to the District 11 Class 2A semifinals with a 4-2 victory over the Battlin’ Miners on Thursday at North Schuylkill’s Bob Wetzel Field.

Marian rallied behind clutch hitting from winning pitcher Chase Grier, Cole DeFrancesco, Chase Quinn-Gutsie, Roman Bednarek and Noah Bauder.

Every player contributed during the fifth-inning rally, whether through a hit or a sacrifice. It was baseball in its purest form.

The Colts also received a standout pitching performance from Grier, who was not originally scheduled to start. Bednarek got the call Wednesday before the game was suspended after one inning because of rain. After Bednarek threw 26 pitches, Grier took over Thursday and looked sharp.

“You know we have some great fielders, I just wanted to do my best, and keep us in the game,” said the right-handed junior.

Grier allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out six to earn the win.

Marian manager John “Pilsey” Petrilyak trusted Grier with the ball.

“He can battle with the best. You saw what he did, he keeps the ball in the zone, throws inside and can use his stuff to work the batter.” Piesnarski was effective as well, throwing only 68 pitches before Marian adjusted at the plate.

“The thing about Nolan, he is such a good competitor, he has this very long delivery to the plate and told our guys to move up (in) the box,” Petrilyak said. “A lot of our guys were way out in front.”

That adjustment proved to be the difference during the decisive sixth inning.

Grier started the rally with a double, and DeFrancesco followed with an RBI single. Quinn-Gutsie then delivered a key hit after falling behind in the count. With the hit-and-run on, he lined a single to keep the rally going.

Bednarek added another single before designated hitter Rocco Griguoli drove in a run with a base hit. Bauder, who also starred defensively at third base, capped the rally with a sacrifice fly.

“We made an adjustment and we saw the way he was pitching with his (off-speed) and fastball,” Bednarek said.

Quinn-Gutsie said he struggled during his first two at-bats and initially received a bunt sign before swinging away.

“Usually I can get it down, I pulled back a couple of times, then I just poked that single.”

Before the rally, Marian had little success against Piesnarski, who retired 10 straight batters before Bednarek singled with one out in the fourth inning. But Bednarek was thrown out attempting to steal second, and Griguoli grounded out to end the inning.

Piesnarski then retired another batter to open the fifth before Danny Lemus singled for Marian’s second hit. Like Bednarek, Lemus was thrown out trying to steal, and Grier struck out on the play to complete an inning-ending double play.

“Wow, on the money ... on the money both times, (Brody Rogers) was so fantastic,” Petrilyak said while praising Minersville’s freshman catcher. “He threw it perfectly two times.”

The momentum finally shifted when Grier sparked the sixth-inning rally.

“Just that one inning, the wheels fell off and we gave them a little bit too much rope,” Minersville manager Shane Spotts said. “You know we did a nice job early, but sometimes you just don’t close it out.

“That happens when you have a young ball club ... that’s a good ball club over there. I thought we had them.” Instead, Marian’s late-inning surge carried the Colts into Sunday’s scheduled semifinal against Williams Valley at Spartan Stadium.

LEATHER GOODS ... Marian third baseman Bauder made two outstanding defensive plays to rob the Miners of base hits. Shortstop Bednarek also impressed defensively.

AT THE DISH ... Minersville outhit Marian 8-6. Piesnarski collected two hits for the Miners, while Camden Rogers, Garrett Sukeena, Jason Corell, Aiden Ryan and Brody Rogers each added singles. Bednarek led Marian with two hits. Grier had the game’s lone extra-base hit with a double, while Quinn-Gutsie, Lemus and DeFrancesco each singled.

QUOTABLE ... “The approach was to hit the ball to right field, wait on the pitch a little longer, and it worked,” Petrilyak said about the adjustment that led to the winning rally.

WHY NORTH SCHUYLKILL? ... The game was moved to North Schuylkill because of its artificial turf field. Heavy rain fell throughout the day until about 90 minutes before first pitch, but the field handled the weather well and the game was played without issue.

Minersville 100 000 1 - 2 8 0

Marian 000 004 x - 4 6 3

Piesnarski and Rogers; Bednarek, Grier (2) and Reaman. W - Grier. L - Piesnarski.

Records: Minersville (8-13); Marian (17-4).