UPPER ST. CLAIR — Will Bednar could take a deep breath.

Before the Mars sophomore pitcher even set foot on the mound, he was staked to a 2-0 lead in one of the biggest games in Planets’ baseball history.

“It’s a lot easier to just throw pitches and rely on my players when we’re up two runs,” Bednar said, grinning. “It’s a lot better than being down.”

With that cushion, Bednar was able to relax — and was able to be masterful.

Bednar scattered four hits and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings to lead Mars to a 4-1 win over No. 1 seed West Allegheny in the WPIAL 5A semifinals Wednesday afternoon at Boyce Mayview Park.

The win sends the Planets to their first ever WPIAL title game. They will play Latrobe at Washington Wild Things Park either Tuesday or Wednesday.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys right now,” said Mars coach Andy Bednar, Will’s father. “It was an unbelievable performance.”

Coach Bednar was understandably proud of pitcher Bednar, who had a slow, sharp-breaking curveball working throughout the windy day.

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