FOX CHAPEL — Two days, two sites, one late opportunity for both teams.

That sums up the Mars-Franklin Regional WPIAL Class 5A boys baseball quarterfinal playoff game over the weekend.

The Panthers (17-1) cashed in on their late chance, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for an 8-5 victory.

“This is tough ... really a tough way for our seniors to go out,” Mars coach Jason Thompson said. “They deserved better.”

The Planets (13-7) rallied from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game Friday night at North Allegheny. John Fratto delivered a two-run single and Caiden Schmitt an RBI single during a three-run third inning. JJ Wetherholt hit a run-scoring triple to deep right and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth to pull Mars even.

With the score tied and Mars batting with two outs in the top of the fifth, the game was suspended after a bank of lights in left field went out twice.

The game resumed Saturday afternoon at Fox Chapel, both teams forced to use new pitchers and go deep into their mound staffs.

The top-seeded Panthers went with junior right-hander Chris Pagano.

“I have every confidence in all of our pitchers,” Franklin Regional coach Bobby Saddler said. “Chris usually pitches in relief for us. This situation didn't bother him at all.”

After getting the final out in the Planets' fifth inning, Pagano ran into trouble in the sixth. He walked Trey Wagner and Matt Mroz, the No.'s 8 and 9 hitters for Mars.

Pagano threw 10 straight balls to begin the inning.

He came back to strike out Teddy Ruffner, got Wetherholt to fly out to center and fanned Mitchell Schultz to escape damage.

“It can't be overstated, what he did there,” Saddler said. “Those are three of the best hitters in the WPIAL.”

Thompson agreed.

“Hats off to him,” the Mars coach said. “That kid made some big-time pitches in a pressure situation.”

Mars went with Ruffner on the mound Saturday. Usually the Planets' starting catcher, he struck out two batters in working a scoreless fifth inning.

With one out in the sixth, Franklin Regional's Jordan Suvak doubled to deep left and Louie Kegerreis grounded a single to left. A walk to Andrew Muraco loaded the bases.

Kegerreis is hitting .470 this season and is 7-for-7 with two walks in the Panthers' first two playoff games.

Tommy Quinn hit a two-run single to left, prompting Thompson to replace Ruffner with Wetherholt on the mound. Ruffner went back behind the plate.

A wild pitch plated Muraco for the game's final run.

Thompson got emotional when talking about his seniors.

“Just an incredible group of young men. he said. “Teddy was a vocal leader who never let anybody get down. JJ took younger players under his wing and helped their game.

“All of these seniors ... They left this program better than it was when they arrived and it was pretty good when they got here.”

Wetherholt, Remy Monteleone, Schmitt, Ruffner, Alex Heavner, Schultz and Dawson Cadamore are seniors on the Mars roster.

Heavner struck out 10 in four innings of work Friday night.

“We knew this game would be a scramble and it was,” Saddler said. “Mars is a high-quality program. We didn't approach this game like we were playing an 8-seed. Not at all.”

Mars 003 200 0 — 5 5 1

Fr. Regional 410 003 x — 8 6 1

W: Chris Pagano 2.1IP (4K, 2BB). L: Teddy Ruffner 1.1IP (2K, 2BB)

Mars (13-7): Teddy Ruffner 1B 2-R, JJ Wetherholt 3B RBI 2-R, John Fratto 2-1B 2-RBI, Caden Schmitt 1B RBI

Franklin Regional (17-1): Jordan Suvak 2B 2-R, Louie Kegerreis 3B 1B RBI 2-R, Andrew Muraco 1B 2-R, Timmy Quinn 1B 2-RBI, Thomas Nicely RBI, Anthony Alesi 1B RBI