WEST MIFFLIN — It was an unexpected start for Frank Craska, but not an unexpected result.

The Mars senior was planning to play first base in his team's WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal playoff game Tuesday against Laurel Highlands. But when Will Bednar fell ill Tuesday morning, Mars coach Andy Bednar sent Craska a text.

“He let me know I'd be on the mound,” said Craska. “I saw Will in second period and he did not look well. I was ready.”

Craska went on to allow two runs on seven hits while striking out six in the Planets' 6-2 victory at West Mifflin High School.

“Will got a stomach bug like you wouldn't believe,” Coach Bednar said. “He didn't want to give up his start, but we still felt good about having a guy like Frank on the mound.”

It wasn't the smoothest of starts for Craska. The first four batters in the bottom of the first inning each hit line drives, but the Mustangs (16-4) had nothing to show for it.

Tan Erminio led off and was retired on a fine back-hand play at third by Tyler Kowalkowski. Josh Burns and Travis Sankovich then lined back-to-back singles before Mason McManus reached on a fielder's choice, leaving runners at first and third with two outs.

Craska then picked off McManus at first base to end the threat. As the former stepped off the mound, he shouted and pumped his fist.

“I knew that was important,” Craska said. “Laurel Highlands is a good team. They can hit the ball. We've worked on that pick-off a lot and I had a feeling coach would call for it.”

Mars (14-5) added to the frustration for Laurel Highlands in the next half inning. Mustangs' starting pitcher Andino Vecchiolla, who had pitched a scoreless first inning, was tagged for four runs in the second. The highlight was a 3-run homer from freshman designated hitter Mitchell Schultz. It brought home Kowalkowski and Anthony Michalski, who had both singled. Later in the inning, Jon Wetherholt doubled home Matt Fuller.

“He (Schultz) has looked outstanding in batting practice,” Coach Bednar said. “We knew Laurel Highlands was going to start a left-hander and figured it would be a good matchup for him.”

“Mars got those four runs and it kind of deflated us for a while,” said Mustang coach Scott DeBerry. “It could have been the other way around had we taken advantage of our opportunity in the first inning. Mars' second inning really hurt.”

Vecchiolla was pulled after two innings in favor of Greg Lancaster, who did not allow a hit until Michalski's one-out single in the sixth. But the Mustangs had trouble solving Craska. They finally managed a run against him in the fifth when Burns' base hit plated Evan Voyten.

McManus hit a solo home run to begin the bottom of the sixth, but that was all Craska would allow. After helping his own cause with a two-run triple in the top of the seventh, Craska was perfect in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

“Frank did a great job of changing speeds today,” said Coach Bednar. “He was throwing his curveball for strikes a high percentage of the time and was mixing in a change-up every once in a while.”

Mars will have to wait to learn its next opponent. The quarterfinal game involving Moon and Hampton was postponed Tuesday and rescheduled for Wednesday. The winner faces the Planets Thursday at a time and site to be determined.

This marks the third straight season in which Mars has reached the district semifinals. It finished runner-up in the WPIAL last season to Latrobe.

Mars 040 000 2 — 6 10 2

Laurel Highlands 000 011 0 — 2 7 1

W: Frank Craska 7 IP (6K, 0BB). L: Andino Vecchiolla 2 IP (2K, 0BB).

Mars (14-5): Rowen Fletcher 2-1B R, Jon Wetherholt 2B R RBI, Frank Craska 3B 2RBI, Tyler Kowalkowski 1B R, Anthony Michalski 2-1B R, Evan Homison 1B, Mitchell Schultz HR 3RBI, Matt Fuller 1B R

Laurel Highlands (16-4): Josh Burns 2-1B RBI, Travis Sankovich 1B, Mason McManus HR, Chad Petrush 1B, Nate Zimcosky 1B, Evan Voyten 1B R

Thursday: Mars vs. Moon/Hampton winner, WPIAL Class 5A semifinal, TBD