SHALER TWP — West Allegheny came out swinging in Thursday's WPIAL Class AAA first-round softball playoff game.

The initial offensive flurry was enough to knock out Mars.

West Allegheny's first five batters of the game scored and the Indians held on for a 5-3 victory over the Planets at Shaler's Hilltop Field.

“Just a very uncharacteristic first inning,” said Mars coach Michele Goodworth.

Brooke Bagnell and Brianna Lach began the onslaught with back-to-back doubles to start the bottom of the first for a quick 1-0 edge. Brittany Zeigler followed with a single, Emily Garvin drew a walk, Rachel McGloughlin belted a two-RBI two-bagger to deep left-center field and West Allegheny suddenly owned a 3-0 advantage.

Mars pitcher Taylor Rotz quickly regrouped with two harmless outs, but a throwing error from second baseman Kieran Salada plated two more runs and the Indians (11-6) entered the second frame with a 5-0 cushion.

“They jumped on (Rotz) at the beginning,” said West Allegheny coach Mindi McFate. “I would have liked to have had a couple more innings like that one, but if five (runs) is all it takes to get the win today, then I'm satisfied with five.”

Rotz shut down West Allegheny after the first, as an Indian didn't reach second base the rest of the game. Mars' lone senior finished the contest with five strikeouts and two walks, while surrendering five runs — three earned — on six hits.

“She's a kid that's not going to give up. She's going to battle back even stronger,” said Goodworth. “That's just Taylor's personality.”

The rest of the Planets showed a similar demeanor.

Mars immediately began chipping away at the 5-0 deficit with a run in the top of the second. Rotz singled to lead off the frame and later scored on a sacrifice fly to left field from Mallory Eperesi.

The Planets (9-10) added two more runs in the third. Blake Kitt and Suzanne Papik provided back-to-back one-out singles and Rotz flared a two-RBI base knock to right field.

“It's always hard to come from behind, but the kids had a very positive attitude. They pulled together. They were motivated,” said Goodworth. “I don't think we let the first inning bring us down. We kept cheering and battling back, but it didn't go our way today.”

Lach pitched all seven innings for West Allegheny and secured the victory. She fanned four, walked two and allowed three earned runs on eight hits.

The Planets sent the go-ahead run to the plate in the sixth with runners on the corners and two outs, but Lach escaped the jam.

“She had a lot of composure. Even when things were getting a little bit shaky, she never let it get to her,” said McFate. “They have a couple big power hitters on their team. She hung with it and got the outs where we needed to get them.”

Kitt, Rotz and Jeanna Sybert each tallied two singles for Mars, which didn't have an extra-base knock among its eight hits. The Indians were paced by McLaughlin, who went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored.

The defeat ends the career for Rotz, who pitched the Planets to consecutive section titles during her junior and senior campaigns. She will continue her academic and softball career at Division II Nova Southeastern in the fall.

“Losing your starting pitcher is hard,” said Goodworth. “She's brought our program back to being competitive in the playoffs. ... Hopefully, we'll be back again next year.”

Mars 012 000 0 — 3 8 1

West Allegheny 500 000 x — 5 6 1

W: Brianna Lach 7IP (4K, 2BB). L: Taylor Rotz 6IP (5K, 2BB).

Mars (9-10): Blake Kitt 2-1B, R; Suzanne Papik 1B, R; Taylor Rotz 2-1B, R, 2-RBI; Kasey Jones BB; Mallory Eperesi 1B, RBI; Jeanna Sybert 2-1B, BB

West Allegheny (11-6): Brooke Bagnell 2B, BB, R; Brianna Lach 2B, R, RBI; Brittany Zeigler 1B, R; Emily Garvin BB, R; Rachel McLaughlin 2-1B, 2B, R, 2-RBI