The gauntlet still lies ahead.

But after a big week, Marian appears ready for the challenge.

The Colts capped a perfect week of preparation by sweeping all three of its Schuylkill League baseball games.

Nativity was the latest victim on Thursday afternoon as the Colts used a big third inning to defeat the Hilltoppers, 11-5.

With that taken care of, Marian now enters the most crucial part of its schedule — a three-game stretch against some of the best in Divisions 2 and 3 teams, along with a testy fourth game, a non-league encounter.

It starts with an away game Monday with Schuylkill Haven, then a home game against Shenandoah Valley on Wednesday, followed by a visit to Panther Valley on Thursday, and the non-league home game with Jim Thorpe next Saturday.

But before it could look ahead, Marian needed to take care of business against Nativity

“We wanted to finish (the week) 3-0,” Marian coach Tony Radocha said. “We needed to be more patient hitting.

“I told our kids ‘you are allowed to score early ... we’ve been playing 6 o’clock lightning.”

The latter reference was to a penchant the Colts have had this season for rallying in the sixth and seventh innings for wins.

Not so much yesterday, though.

The Colts watched Nativity take advantage of a two-out rally on an error and back-to-back doubles from Matt Coyle and Jake Kuperavage to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Marian sliced it to a one-run game when Aaron Mason singled in the bottom of the frame — one of his four hits on the afternoon. After Quest Wilson hit into a fielders choice, Mike Minchhoff singled home Wilson, who stole second.

But it was in the third when the Colts broke the game open, scoring 10 runs.

There were eight hits in the rally as Mason and Alex Kubishin both doubled and singled; Matt Doherty and Randy Cann both had doubles; and Chris Latoff and Hunter Fristick singled. That was coupled with two Nativity errors, allowing the Colts to sturdy the ship and set sail with an 11-2 lead which was never in jeopardy thereafter.

“Our hitting approach was a lot better today. I think taking some extra batting practice helped us, too,” said Radocha. “And what can I say about Aaron (Mason). He’s been striking the ball very well and showing up big time.”

But the Colts’ hitting wasn’t the only highlight, as they also got solid pitching from Wilson.

“I’ll tell you, Quest really came in and did an outstanding job,” said Radocha. “We’re a little banged up (with our pitching) and he comes out and gives us six very solid innings.

WHACKING IT AROUND … Marian slammed 13 hits. Mason nearly had a third of those with two singles, two doubles and an RBI. Minchhoff had two hits and three RBIs; Wilson helped his cause with a double, single and two RBIs; Dante Agosti had a pair of RBIs, and Cann had two RBIs; Fristick slugged out a pair of singles; Doherty drove in a run with a double; and Kubishin singled, doubled and had two RBIs.

STOCK RISING … Marian (9-3) is now sitting atop Division 3 at 6-1 — a half-game ahead of second place Panther Valley.

Nativity 20 0 200 1 - 5 9 2

Marian 10(10) 000 - 11 13 3

Dunn, Brennan (3) and Ferhat; Wilson, Derr (7) and Rickert. W - Wilson. L - Dunn.