ADAMS TWP — Tim Knappenberger may be the only person in Western Pennsylvania happy about all the rain this spring.

Forced to practice in the gym for the past few weeks, Knappenberger practiced different situations with the Knoch softball team.

Bases loaded, no outs, find a way to survive. Against Section 5-AAA rival Mars Friday night, the Knights worked out of that situation to earn an 8-7 win.

“That last inning with the bases loaded, thank god it’s been raining because we’ve been in the gym and we practice that all the time,” Knappenberger said. “Bases loaded, no outs believe you can get out of it. That’s what they did.”

Knoch (9-3, 7-2) clinched a postseason spot. Also, with a win over Hampton Monday, the Knights would clinch at least a share of the section title for the first time since 2008.

Mars (7-3, 5-2) was behind 8-3, but didn’t make it easy for the Knights.

Suzanne Papik opened the seventh inning with a double and Blake Kitt reached on an error. Erin Hershman then crushed a home run to right field off Reed to cut the lead to 8-6.

Kasey Jones, Marina Manupelli then reached on singles and Niki Schlegel reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases.

The Planets did score one rune on a fielder’s choice, but couldn’t go ahead. Knights pitcher Codi Reed got Jeanna Sybert to fly out to left fielder Shaely Renfrew to end the game.

Reed hustled to celebrate with Renfrew. That way, they could collectively exhale together.

“I wanted to run out to right field and hug Shaely,” Reed said. “I was very relieved.”

Renfrew, a senior, is playing softball for the first time since she as 12. When Sybert sent the ball in her direction, she was ready to make a play.

“It was a great feeling. I knew my teammates were behind me if I didn’t catch it, but I wanted to support them and catch the ball,” Renfrew said. “I wanted to support them and catch the ball. I was relived.”

Mars coach Michele Goodworth said the Planets’ had some bad luck.

“It didn’t go our way at the end,” Mars coach Michele Goodworth said. “After Erin hit the home run, it was almost like a new inning because the basepaths were cleared.”

A heads-up play by Renfrew put Knoch ahead 4-3 in the fifth. After she reaching on a single, Sydney Natili tried to bunt her over. The bunt attempt missed, but Renfrew stole second and reached third on an overthrow. Bethany Hay drove her in with a groundout.

“I was going either way,” Renfew said. “So I wanted to make sure I was there fast enough to get down to be safe.”

The Knights scored two runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Reed, who was 0 for 3, smashed a two-run home run to center in the seventh.

“I finally centered myself enough to hit the ball,” Reed said. “I have seen this pitcher before, but couldn’t get it in my head that I could hit the ball. It clicked during that at-bat.”

The Planets scored twice in the first inning thanks to three errors by Knoch.

Jessi Reed hit a bases-loaded double in the fourth to put the Knights ahead 3-2.

“They started hitting our pitcher,” Goodworth said. “I think they started timing her.”

Knoch found enough offense to grab a big win. It’s what the Knights prepared for.

“It’s very exciting. We’ve been talking about this for the past 10 days,” Knappenberger said about winning the section. “If we beat Hampton Monday, we accomplish that goal.”

Knoch 000 312 2 — 8 7 3

Mars 200 100 4 — 7 9 5

W:Codi Reed 7IP (0K, 1BB). L:Niki Schlegel 7IP (6K, 1BB).

Knoch (9-3, 7-2): Chandler Krelow 1B, Jessi Reed 1B 2B, Shaely Renfrew 1B, Abbi Smithmyer 1B, Avery Keller 1B, Sydney Natili 1B, Codi Reed HR

Mars 7-3 (5-2): Suzanne Papik 21B 2B, Mallory Eperesi 1B 2B, Jeanna Sybert 1B, Erin Hershman HR, Marina Manupelli 1B, Kasey Jones 1B

Monday: Hampton at Knoch; Mars at Kittanning