WEXFORD — Even a 12-day layoff could not break Frank Craska's rhythm.

Mars' junior pitcher struck out five, walked one and allowed just four hits over his 6 1/3 innings of work to lead the Planets to a 2-0 baseball victory over Moon in a WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal playoff Monday at North Allegheny High School.

“Frank throws a lot of strikes and I'd say he's been our most consistent pitcher this year,” said Mars coach Andy Bednar.

Craska last pitched in an official game May 10 against Blackhawk, working four innings of relief to get the win. He did throw 30 pitches in a scrimmage against Canon-McMillan last Thursday.

“I felt good in my bullpen session before the game today,” said Craska, who moved his season record to 6-3. “We knew Moon was an aggressive team and they like to swing at fastballs. I went with a lot of first-pitch curveballs today, then put 'em away with a fastball later in the count.”

Mars will play West Allegheny, a 4-1 victor over Franklin Regional, in a semifinal Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

Craska, who had been staked to a 2-0 lead after the Planets (13-6) scored a run in the first and second innings, allowed just one base-runner over the first three innings — an infield single from Sevin Schoenweiss in the top of the second. His biggest challenge came two innings later.

Anthony Fachet and Nick Maue managed back-to-back singles to begin the frame. The runners advanced to second and third on Max Mari's groundout, but had to stay put when the next batter, Schoenweiss, grounded out to shortstop Anthony Michalski, who was playing in. Craska then fooled James Diamond on a called third strike to end the inning.

“That was big, when we had runners at second and third and didn't score,” said Moon coach Todd Goble. “We had a few opportunities today, but weren't able to take advantage. You can say should've and would've, but we didn't.”

Craska then pitched scoreless fifth and sixth frames before issuing a one-out walk to Diamond in the seventh. That ended his outing, which included 95 pitches.

Dylan Rotz took the mound and gave up an infield single to pinch-hitter Nick Sebastian to put runners at first and second, but Roger Roettger lined into a 5-3 double play to cap the win for Mars.

The Planets broke the ice with a pair of doubles in the first off of Moon starter Ryan Osman. Spencer Croskey's was followed two batters later by one from Rotz that drove in a run.

Isaiah Johnson singled home Michalski in the second for the game's final run.

“Getting a few runs early was huge,” said Bednar. “I thought we had some great at-bats today. We had eight hits and maybe we should've scored a few more runs, but two were enough for Frank.”

Osman pitched one batter into the fifth and was lifted in favor of Maue after giving up a leadoff double to Brandon Wetherholt. Osman struck out two, walked none and surrendered the two runs on seven hits.

“A pitcher isn't always going to have his best stuff and that was the case with Ryan today,” said Goble. “But he battled. This could have been a five- or six-run game.”

Mars' most recent game was a 2-1 loss to North Allegheny May 12. The Planets tied for the Section 1 title and received a first-round bye. Bednar admitted he was concerned about the layoff entering the game.

“It's tough,” he said. “You hurry up to get all your regular season games in, then you go a week and a half without playing.

“Getting a bye is a good thing,” he added, “but sometimes you wonder if it is the best thing for your team.”

Moon 000 000 0 — 0 5 0

Mars 110 000 x — 2 8 0

W: Frank Craska 6.1 IP (5K, 1BB). L: Ryan Osman 4+ IP (2K, 0BB). S: Dylan Rotz .2 IP (0K, 0BB).

Moon (13-7-1): Anthony Fachet 2-1B, Nick Maue 1B, Sevin Schoenweiss 1B, Nick Sebastian 1B

Mars (13-6): Brandon Wetherholt 2B, Spencer Croskey 2B R, Dylan Rotz 2B RBI, Anthony Michalski 2-1B R, Doogie Cannon 1B, Joe Craska 1B, Isaiah Johnson 1B RBI

Wednesday: Mars vs. West Allegheny, WPIAL Class 5A semifinal, site and time TBD