MONROEVILLE — The members of the Mars High School softball team may or may not be a superstitious bunch.

But if the Planets are, they should pay extra homage to the number three.

Three has been popping up a lot lately for the Planets, and, in every instance, it's been a very good numeral.

It was so again on Monday as Mars scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to beat Valley for the third time this season, 3-1, in the Class AA WPIAL playoffs at Gateway HighSchool.

On Saturday, Mars beat Pine-Richland for the third time this season to start the playoffs.

The win over Valley got the Planets (17-3) to the third round for the first time since Michele Goodworth took over as coach eight seasons ago.

"I don't think we've hit our peak yet," Goodworth said.

Perhaps fittingly, Mars' offense was keyed by its No. 3 hitter, who had never hit in that slot in the order until Monday.

Hannah Taggart drove in two runs with a single in the bottom of the third inning to provide all the offense Mars needed.

Goodworth moved Taggart to the third spot in the order because of Taggart's recent success against Valley pitcher Bethany Nealer.

"Hannah has done a good job hitting against Bethany this season," Goodworth said. "She had the big hit today."

Brie Berkopec had, what else, three hits for Mars, and pitcher Monica Glomb got a lot of third strikes again — 10 to be exact.

Three — there's that number again — were rung up looking.

"She kept us off balance," said Valley coach CarolPerroz, who has seen Glomb hold her team to two runs in 21 innings this season. "She's was around the plate all game."

Valley scored its lone run in the top of the seventh, thanks to a lead-off triple by Allison Langlands, who scored on a groundout by Olivia Traini.

Since the beginning of the season, the Planets' goal has been to get into the third round of the WPIAL playoffs.

With that mission now accomplished, Mars has set its sights much higher.

One more win assures it of a spot in the state playoffs, which begin June 5. Two more wins and the Planets are WPIAL champions.

"With the success we've had, I think the team wants more," Goodworth said. "We have that attitude now. We finally know what it is like to win. Everyone on this team picks each other up."

Mars didn't emerge completely unscathed.

Second baseman Kristin Scheller banged up the fingers on her throwing hand when she slapped at a pitch and hit the offering with her hand.

She stayed in the game, but her fingers were wrapped and throbbing after the game.

Glomb, who already has thrown two perfect games this season, had another one going through three innings. She gave up only four hits in the contest.

"She's very dominant," Goodworth said. "She's come out of her shell this season. A lot of times when you are a freshman or a sophomore, you are very reserved. She's a junior now, and a lot of her personality is coming out."

Mars will play West Allegheny in the next round at a site, time and place to be determined.

Valley 000 000 1—1 4 1Mars 003 000 x—3 8 0WP: Monica Glomb (7 IP) 10 strikeouts, 0 walks.

LP: Bethany Nealer (6 IP) 9 strikeouts, 0 walks

Valley (12-7): Erica Brubaker 1B; Allison Langlands 3B,R; Erika Teichman 1B; Olivia Traini RBI; Carmen Muto 1B

Mars (17-3): Brittany Berkopec 2B; Hannah Taggart 1B, 2-RBI; Brie Berkopec 3-1B; Kyla Ferguson 1B, RBI; Glomb 2B; Autumn Barber 1B

TBA: Mars vs. West Allegheny at a site and time to be determined