ADAMS TWP — Alyssa Harris followed in her older sister’s footsteps Tuesday — and took a big step in the circle for Mars.

The Planet junior struck out 11 and walked only one in chilly temperatures as Mars defeated Butler, 12-4, in their softball home opener. Harris scattered 12 hits in the victory.

Her older sister, Kali, pitched for the Planets last season.

“I knew the plan was for me to pitch this year,” Alyssa said. “I prepared myself for it. Kali and I have been playing ball together since I was 7. She’s been a big help to me.”

“Alyssa taking over as pitcher was definitely the plan,” Mars coach Michele Goodworth said.

The Planets (2-2) never trailed in the game, taking advantage of some Butler misfortune in the first inning. After a batted ball struck a Golden Tornado runner — short-circuiting a would-be rally — Mars struck for three runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the second to assume a 6-1 lead.

Lindsey Gourash had a two-run single to highlight the first frame while Taylor Schmitt’s two-run double — also with two outs — highlighted the second inning.

Butler (0-1) opened the game with singles by Desiree Stellfox and Erin Rinaman, the latter taking second on the throw to third. Lily Vicari delivered a sharply-hit grounder toward shortstop that deflected off Rinaman.

By rule, Rinaman was out and Stellfox had to return to third base. Harris then escaped the inning unscathed with a pair of strikeouts.

“That was unfortunate for us. We could have scored a couple of runs there,” Tornado coach Cait Baxter said. “But we don’t deal in what-ifs. We have a young team and we had to keep battling.”

Butler has four freshmen and two sophomores in its starting lineup. Mars is starting a few sophomores.

“Butler is where we were last year, when we were starting a few freshmen,” Goodworth said.

Mars took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, scoring six times in that frame. Madison Buss had a two-run single, Harris a two-run double.

“This was a competitive game until that point,” Baxter said. “I have full confidence in our kids. I thought we’d score a couple of runs in the seventh and we did. We can build on this.”

Harris surrendered four hits in that Butler seventh inning, but ended the game with her 11th strikeout.

“It really wasn’t that bad pitching out there today,” she said. “Those last couple of innings, though, it started to feel a little colder.”

Batting fourth in the lineup, Harris had a double, single and three RBI. She scored three runs as well. Schmitt, a sophomore catcher, hits fifth and had three hits and three RBI.

The Planets stranded 13 runners besides scoring 12 runs. Mas left the bases loaded twice,.

“We had a lot of runners out there today,” Goodworth said.

Stellfox, a freshman shortstop, had three singles and scored two tuns for Butler. Vicari had a double, two singles and two RBI, Kaela Malis a triple and two singles, Malis is another freshman.

“We can hit the ball. We showed that today,” Baxter said.

The Planets host Seneca Valley Wednesday while Butler returns to action on Friday, hosting Kiski Area.

Butler 010 010 2 — 4 12 6

Mars 330 006 x — 12 13 4

W: Alyssa Harris 7IP (11K, 1BB). L: Kelsey Ogin 2IP (4K, 5BB)

Butler (0-1): Desiree Stellfox 3-1B 2-R, Erin Rinaman 1B, Lily Vicari 2B 2-1B 2-RBI, Kaela Malis 3B 2-1B,, Lily DeMeio RBI, Grace Negley 2-1B RBI

Mars (2-2): Laura Craska 1B 3-R, Danielle Bednar 2B 1B RBI, Steoph Esswein 1B, Alyssa Harris 2B 1B 3-EBI 3-R, Taylor Schmitt 2B 2-1B 3-RBI, Lindsey Gourash 1B 2-RBI, Lily Goodworth 1B, Madison Buss 1B 2-RBI 2-R

Wednesday: Seneca Valley at Mars

Friday: Kiski Area at Butler