DILLSBURG, York County — With a funky delivery, pinpoint control and pitches that moved and dipped all over the strike zone, Maddux Ryan lived up to his namesake.

The Cedar Cliff right-hander didn't strike out a Mars batter — he didn't walk one either. While the Planets were able to make contact against the Colts' ace, they weren't able to do much with it in a 3-1 loss Monday in the first round of the PIAA Class 5A baseball playoffs at Northern High School.

“Tip your hat to their guy, Maddux Ryan,” said Mars coach Andy Bednar. “He pitched really well. He wasn't overpowering anyone, but he changed speeds and he kept our guys off balance. We didn't get many good swings against him today.”

The best swing of the day for Mars came early.

Dylan Rotz doubled to deep center to score Spencer Croskey, who had reached on a single and moved to second on a throwing error, to put Mars up 1-0 in the top of the first inning.

Rotz got the start for the Planets and threw four shutout innings before he was chased with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning in favor of Frank Craska after a walk and an error that put Cedar Cliff runners on second and third.

Rotz struck out one and walked one.

“Dylan pitched a great game. He kept us in the game,” Bednar said. “He had some back issues early on. He competed.”

Craska, who came in to pitch from his position at first base, was wild. He hit a batter to load the bases and then gave up a two-run single to Grant Breneman. After another walk, Craska hit Tommy Savastio with the bases loaded to bring home another run for the Colts.

“We just couldn't get out of that inning,” Bednar said. “When given the chance to make plays in the field, you have to make the plays. Frankie came in and he gave us a chance. We didn't step up and make plays when we could. When he hits a guy, that's tough. They didn't really earn it. We gave it to them.”

Three runs were plenty for Ryan, who began the season as Cedar Cliff's third pitcher, but became the ace by going 6-1 with a 1.62 ERA.

He retired the last 11 Mars batters he faced and gave up just two hits after the first inning.

“He was at his best today,” said Cedar Cliff coach Scott Lackey. “He was really strong throughout. He is best when he has his change-up working, that little curve he throws and that fastball that's running. He's really, really, really competitive. He's the guy we throw out there in game one. He's the ace and he's earned that.”

Cedar Cliff (20-5) threatened to score in the first and third innings, but had a runner cut down at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch in the first and another thrown out at third base in the third.

“We're fortunate enough to score just enough,” Lackey said. “That's kind of been our story this season. It was a relief when we finally got those runs. These guys have given me so many gray hairs this season.”

Mars (14-8) made it to the WPIAL championship game this season only to lose to Latrobe. Last year, the Planets earned their first playoff win in 18 years.

“Last year we got to the WPIAL semis. This year we got to the WPIAL finals,” Bednar said. “We've taken a step forward the last two years. Hopefully, we can keep doing that. I credit the seniors — they were a big reason why we are where we're at.”

Mars 100 000 0 — 1 4 2

Cedar Cliff 000 030 x — 3 3 1

W: Maddux Ryan 7 IP (0K, 0BB). L: Dylan Rotz 5.1 IP (1K, 1BB).

Mars (14-8): Brandon Wetherholt 1B, Spencer Croskey 1B R, Dylan Rotz 2B RBI, Anthony Michalski 1B

Cedar Cliff (20-5): Grant Breneman 1B 2RBI, Tommy Savastio RBI, Bobby Whalen 1B, Chris Dare 1B