CALIFORNIA — Watching Thomas Jefferson celebrate its first WPIAL softball title in school history wasn't easy for Erin Hershman.

The Mars senior centerfielder felt the Planets missed some opportunities to win the game.

But how the Planets handled their 5-3, nine-inning loss Thursday at Lilly Field gave Hershman hope for the state playoffs.

Mars will play District 9 champion St. Marys Monday at a site and time to be determined.

“I think we've gotten so used to playing under pressure,” said Hershman, who had two singles and stolen bases. “We were more relaxed than usual today.”

The 11th-seeded Planets (12-5) were denied their first WPIAL Class AAA title since 2006 by a fellow Cinderella squad. Thomas Jefferson, a 13 seed, won all four of its postseason games by a combined five runs.

Mars won three straight one-run games to earn its spot.

“I can't put into words how I feel. We've worked hard for this,” Jaguars coach Heidi Karcher said. “We never gave up and battled to the end every single time.”

Bayli Moon made the big play in the ninth for the Jaguars. Moving from second to third on a sacrifice fly by Lacie Lautner, Moon was hit by the throw sliding into third. The ball slid into the outfield and no one covered home, allowing Moon to score.

Thomas Jefferson added another run when Kyla Prickett singled in Rachel Bowers.

“It's not the outcome we expected today. Our hits weren't tied together or stretched together to score the runs we're used to,” Mars coach Michele Goodworth. “What a freaky softball play. ... What are the chances of that on any given day?”

Before the ninth, Planets sophomore pitcher Niki Schlegel worked five consecutive scoreless innings. Schlegel, who struck out six, enjoyed the atmosphere.

“It's probably not my favorite, considering the outcome,” Schlegel said about the game in Mars' playoff run. “I think we played a really good game. I love going into extra innings.”

Mars nearly broke the game open in the bottom of the first inning. Trailing 1-0, the Planets opened with a single from Suzanne Papik and walks from Blake Kitt and Hershman.

Kasey Jones, who singled three times, then drew a bases-loaded walk off Lautner to tie the game. Lautner, who struck out five in nine innings to earn the win, then worked out of the jam.

She got Marina Manuppelli and Mallory Eperesi to pop out and forced Schlegel to hit into a fielder's choice.

“I think we could have won this game,” Schlegel said. “We did strand some base runners on the field.”

Prickett put Thomas Jefferson ahead 3-1 in the third with a two-run homer to left field. Mars evened the game in the bottom of the inning.

Hershman, who has nine home runs this year, had a one-out bunt single to reach first. She moved to second on a single by Jones and stole third.

Manuppelli picked up an RBI by grounding out to score Hershman.

“A lot of times whenever I'm struggling hitting, I lay down a bunt and I can run it out,” Hershman said. “It's a way to get my confidence back up.”

Jones scored on an error to tie the game. Both teams settled into a deadlock after that until the ninth.

Thomas Jefferson 102 000 002 — 5 11 1

Mars 102 000 000 — 3 11 2

W: Lacie Lautner 9IP (5K, 3BB). L: Niki Schlegel 9IP (6K, 0BB).

Thomas Jefferson (15-6): Rachel Bowers 3 1B, Kyla Prickett 1B HR, Janelle Allison 1B, Lauren Herazo 2B, Lindsey Kalup 1B, Megan Fitzgerald 1B, Bayli Moon 1B, Tara Conley 1B

Mars (12-5): Suzanne Papik 2 1B, Blake Kitt 1B, Erin Hershman 2 1B, Kasey Jones 3 1B, Marina Manuppelli 1B, Niki Schlegel 1B, Jeanna Sybert 1B.

Monday: Mars vs. St. Marys, site and time to be determined.