WEXFORD — Talk about maximizing your opportunities.

Mars had two batters reach base on fielding errors Thursday and both scored. The Planets managed three hits — two of them driving in runs.

It added up to a 2-1 victory for the Planets in a WPIALClass AAA girls softball semifinal over West Allegheny at North Allegheny High School.

The victory was the Planets' 18th in 19 games and sends them to the first WPIALchampionship game in the program's 16-year history.

"One run doesn't get it done at this level,"West Allegheny coach Mindi Dinger said. "You don't see many 1-0 final scores at this stage of the game."

The Indians, playing in their first WPIALsemifinal, stranded runners at third base in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings.

"I guess staying here for eight years has paid off,"Mars coach Michele Goodworth said of her tenure as coach. "I played on the very first softball team at Mars. I have Mars in my blood.

"This program (and) these girls are very important to me."

Mars took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Zara Zollner reached on an infield error with two outs. Monica Glomb doubled over the left-fielder's head to score Zollner from first base.

Glomb's double remained Mars' only hit until the seventh inning against West Allegheny hurler Lexie Volakis.

"I can't fault my pitcher,"Dinger said. "She did everything right."

Glomb surrendered five hits, including two triples, but did not allow a run until the sixth.

West Allegheny's Lindsay Littler began the frame with a double down the left-field line, then, with one out, Angela Valentino tried bunting Littler to third. Mars third baseman Autumn Barber threw wildly to first on the play, enabling Littler to score.

Valentino tried getting into second as the ball rolled down the right-field line, but right fielder Kayla Durkin threw her out, preventing the go-ahead run from being in scoring position with one out.

"That was a huge play for us,"Goodworth said.

Mars' Kyla Ferguson opened the bottom of the seventh by reaching on an infield error. After failing on two bunt attempts, Hannah Taggart singled sharply to center before Zollner walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases.

Glomb struck out, sending designated hitter Emma Wharrey to the plate. Carrying a .250 batting average, Wharrey was in the starting lineup for the first time in four games.

"It was funny because she was just telling me in the dugout how she never gets on base,"Goodworth said.

Wharrey delivered a fly ball over the left-fielder's head, plating Ferguson with the game-winning run.

"I just wanted to do anything I could to get the winning run home,"Wharrey said. "I didn't want to let anybody down."

Mars faces Ambridge (20-1), a 10-0 winner Thursday over Belle Vernon, in the WPIALtitle game. The Bridgers have won 20 straight games, allowed five runs all season and have outscored their playoff opponents 31-0.

Glomb struck out seven and walked none Thursday. She plays summer softball with a lot of the Ambridge players.

"Monica wanted this season to get to this point,"Goodworth said. "She's looking forward to the challenge of facing those girls."

West Allegheny 000 001 0—1 5 2Mars 010 000 1—2 3 3WP: Monica Glomb (7 IP) 7 strikeouts, 0 walks. LP: Lexie Volakis (6Z\c IP) 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

West Allegheny (16-5): Nicole Miller 3B, Lauren Walker 3B, Lindsay Littler 2B, Tiffany Medwid 2-1B

Mars (18-3): Hannah Taggart 1B, Monica Glomb 2BRBI, Emma Wharrey 1BRBI

Thursday: WPIALClass AAAChampionship-Mars vs. Ambridge atCalifornia (Pa.)University, 11 a.m.