ADAMS TWP — After the final out was recorded and the handshakes exchanged, the Mars High School softball team hoisted a banner that read, "Undefeated Section Champs."

It was a moment that was three years in the making.

Monica Glomb was her usual dominant self, tossing a two-hit shutout as the Planets sewed up the section title with a 3-0 win over Knoch Thursday.

The last two seasons, Mars (14-2, 10-0) has had to share the section title.

"There's nothing worse than a tie," said senior catcher Brie Berkopec. "And I always tell anyone who asks me about a tie that it's like kissing your brother. I hate it."

There was no smooching the sibling Thursday. Berkopec saw to that.

She singled and scored in the first inning and drove in another run with a double in the third inning to key the Planets' offensive attack.

The rest was left up to Glomb.

The last time the junior pitcher squared off against Knoch, she struck out 17. This time, the Knights whiffed 10 times, but tested the Planets' defense.

"We just didn't get it in the gaps, but we hit her tonight," said Knoch coach Scott Docherty. "Like I always said, Monica Glomb is one of the best pitchers in Western Pennsylvania, and we did our best against her."

Zoe Hughes led off the game with a single for Knoch against Glomb and in the fifth inning, Jade Thrower led off the frame with a triple.

But Thrower was gunned down at the plate by Glomb, who fielded a bunt by Michelle Steinmiller, pump faked a throw to first, and then twirled to throw out Thrower at the plate.

"Ithink although they know Monica is normally going to throw a good game, they know when the ball is hit to them they have to make the play," said Mars coach Michele Goodworth. "We've really talked to them about that because there have been some games where they have seen very little action."

That's what makes practice so pivotal for the Planets.

"We really remind them that they are just as important," Goodworth said. "We spend time in practice working a lot on defense."

Glomb's counterpart, Knoch freshman pitcher Chelsea Martin, was up to the challenge, too.

She gave up eight hits, but just two earned runs in the game. Martin struck out two and didn't issue a walk.

Knoch (10-7, 3-7) stormed out to a hot start this season after winning just one game last year.

The Knights particularly wanted to beat Mars on the Planets' home field on senior day.

"It's always hard when you lose a game, especially when you want to win so badly," said senior Jackie Brodeur. "We were hitting, just not to the right spots."

Still, Knoch is pleased with what it has accomplished this season.

"I'm definitely happy we totally turned things around from last season," said senior Tiffany Allen. "I think we started something for the future."

For Mars, the future is now. And it has begun with a section championship it can call its own.

"It's pretty remarkable," Goodworth said. "To have it by ourselves is really special."

Knoch 000 000 0—0 2 2Mars 101 100 x—3 8 0WP: Monica Glomb (7 IP) 10 strikeouts, 0 walks.

LP: Chelsea Martin (6 IP) 2 strikeouts, 0 walks

Knoch (10-7, 3-7): Zoe Hughes 1B; Jade Thrower 3B

Mars (14-2, 10-0): Brittany Berkopec 1B; Kristin Scheller 1B; Brie Berkopec 1B, 2B, RBI; Zara Zollner 1B; Hannah Taggart 2-1B; Brooke Davidson 1B

Wednesday: Ford City at Knoch; Mars at North Hills