JACKSON TWP — Claire Zimmerman’s dominant performance during the game was followed by her humble attitude afterwards.

Seneca Valley’s sophomore pitcher struck out nine batters during her four no-hit innings of Monday’s softball game against Mars. Teammate Kearson Wagner preserved the no-hitter over the final two innings in an 11-1, six-inning rout of the Planets at Raider Field.

With the contest being a non-section affair, Zimmerman was not expected to finish.

“Our plan was to leave Claire in for four or five innings,” said SV assistant coach Megan Meeder.

“Every pitcher wants to finish a game,” said Zimmerman, “but it’s about the team and you have to give other players a shot.”

Zimmerman was 3-7 last year while starting half of Seneca Valley’s games. In her first start of this season, she struck out nine batters in a 2-0 loss to Moon on Friday. She now has 18 strikeouts in 11 innings.

“I’ve improved a lot,” she said. “It comes from time and experience.”

“You can tell she’s put in some work,” said Raider assistant Nicole Lollo.

Zimmerman got through a shaky second inning against the Planets (0-1).

After Marina Manuppelli reached on a throwing error, Zimmerman walked Maggie Olshenske and Sara Augustine to load the bases. A strikeout of Abigail Gehr was followed by another error that allowed Manuppelli to score. But Zimmerman closed her outing by striking out eight of the final 10 batters she faced.

Mars returns five starters in its batting order from last year.

“This was only the second day we’ve been on the field,” said veteran Mars coach Michele Goodworth. “We expect to be competitive, but we need more at-bats against live pitching.”

Zimmerman left the game with a 7-0 lead thanks to SV’s hit parade.

Maggie Olshenske started in the circle for the Planets and stranded runners at first and third in the opening frame.

Lindy Lee, who is projected to be Mars’ top starter this season, did not come on until the second inning due to an internal team decision. She surrendered a run-scoring triple to Alex Pfab. Morgan Prouty’s groundout scored another run and the Raiders were off and running.

SV (1-1) scored two more runs in the third inning and three apiece in the fourth and fifth for a commanding 10-1 lead.

The Raiders managed 16 hits in the game, five of them going for extra bases.

“The offense showed up today,” said Lollo. “Through our scrimmages and the game against Moon, we had only two players who were hitting the ball.”

The only question remaining was could Wagner keep Mars from getting a hit. The answer was an emphatic yes as the left-hander set the Planets down in order in the fifth and sixth.

“It’s nice because we bring Kearson in and she has a different speed,” said Meeder. “She could see some starts this season to give Claire a break.”

The game ended via the mercy rule when Julia Ehrman laced a double that plated Mandy Magill in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Magill led SV’s offense with three singles. Morgan Aloi, Riley Morrone, Maddie Schultz and Maura Pasquale each had two hits.

Seneca Valley head coach George Trew was unable to attend the game due to a family commitment.

Mars 010 000 x — 1 0 1

Seneca Valley 022 331 x — 11 16 2

W: Claire Zimmerman 4 IP (9K, 2BB). L: Lindy Lee 4.2 IP (3K, 1BB).

Mars (0-1): Marina Manuppelli R

Seneca Valley (1-1): Morgan Aloi 2-1B 2R 2RBI, Riley Morrone 2-1B R, Elayna Nagy 2B R RBI, Claire Zimmerman 2B RBI, Maddie Schultz 1B 2B R RBI, Mandy Magill 3-1B R 2RBI, Maura Pasquale 2-1B R, Alex Pfab 3B R RBI, Morgan Prouty RBI, Jodi Frontino 1B, Madison Hans R, Julia Ehrman 2B R RBI, Brittany Lollo R

Today: Seneca Valley at Hempfield; Chartiers Valley at Mars