ROBINSON TWP — It took longer than expected, but Mars’ baseball team found its way into the WPIAL semifinals.

Matt Fuller’s single in the top of the eleventh drove in J.J. Wetherholt to give the Planets a lead they’d hold onto in a 4-3 victory over West Allegheny at Burkett Complex Tuesday night.

Mars (12-8) will face Shaler in the district’s Class 5A semifinals at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Pullman Park.

Joe Craska had two pitching stints in the game and totaled 7 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and one walk to earn the win.

The Planets led 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning. Cameron Morris then hit a two-run home run to cut Mars’ edge to 3-2.

The Indians (18-3) scored the tying run in the next inning when Luke Lambert singled in Logan Malatak.

Shane Fox started the game for Mars. striking out three, walking two and allowing the three runs in five innings.

Run-scoring singles from Jon Quinn and Craska vaulted Mars to a 2-0 lead after three and a half innings. The Planets scored their third run on a double-error in the top of the fifth.

Mars out-hit the Indians 13-7.

Mars and Shaler are Section 2-5A foes. The Planets swept the Titans this season by scores of 1-0 and 3-0.

One out when winning run scored

Mars 010 110 000 01 — 4 13 0

West All. 000 021 000 00 — 3 7 3

W: Joe Craska 7.2 IP (8K, 1BB). L: Austin Hendrick 5.1 IP (11K, 4BB).

Mars: Jon Quinn 3-1B R RBI, Joe Craska 2-1B RBI

West Allegheny: Cameron Morris HR 2RBI

Wednesday: Mars vs. Shaler, WPIAL Class 5A semifinal, 4 p.m. at Pullman Park