WEXFORD — Four batters into the game, the Mars softball team was living a nightmare.

A walk, error and RBI single gave the West Allegheny Indians a 2-0 lead and put an immediate damper on the Planets' first playoff appearance since 2007.

Five innings later, Mars was comfortably cruising to the quarterfinals.

Pitcher Taylor Rotz shut down West Allegheny and the Planets erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday en route to a 6-2 victory in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

It was the first postseason triumph for the Planets (12-6) since a WPIAL quarterfinal win on May 21, 2007.

“This is the first time in (five) years we've had a chance to make it back to the playoffs,” said Mars coach Michele Goodworth. “We've done a lot of rebuilding and it was just really nice to see the girls be able to have this opportunity and experience it.”

Despite the shaky start, that experience turned out to be enjoyable.

“We haven't played in a week, so I could tell we were going to start off a little bit slow,” Goodworth said, “but it was awesome to see them come alive in the fifth inning.

“We kept saying, 'One girl hits the ball, you change the momentum of the game, you gain some confidence,' and everyone started to hit the ball.”

Emily Quail sparked the Planets with a flare to right field to lead off the fifth. The senior and No. 9 hitter wasn't even expecting to play, but finished with a pair of hits, scored a run and made a running catch to save extra bases.

“I'm so excited, it's awesome,” said Quail. “I was a little nervous at first because I normally don't start, but they threw me in and I guess I did pretty well.”

Following Quail's single, Erin Hershman belted a one-out double over the left fielder's head. Two pitches later, Quail scooted home for the tying run on a wild pitch, leaving Hershman at third with Rotz at the plate.

The junior pitcher relished the opportunity to give the Planets their first lead of the game, slapping the next pitch to right-center field to score Hershman for the go-ahead run.

“That's what I'm here to do is hit the ball,” said Rotz with a smile. “That's what I'm there for.”

Suzanne Papik kept the momentum going with a single to center. Kasey Jones followed and reached base on a fielder's choice when Papik beat the shortstop to the bag to avoid a force out. Clare Galabinski and Haley Jones pushed across the final three runs of the inning with back-to-back singles to center field.

The Indians (12-6) couldn't get anything going against Rotz and never threatened the lead. The only West Allegheny hit past the third inning came on a lazy pop fly that was misplayed and fell untouched into short left field.

“We just didn't hit today,” said West Allegheny coach Mindi McFate. “Regardless of who you're playing, that's not the situation you want to be in offensively.

“Anytime you get base runners on, you can try to make things happen,” she added. “Just not enough base runners on and not enough production when they were on.”

Ashley Gerhart scored the Indians' first run after drawing a leadoff walk to start the game. Rotz bounced back to strike out Ashley Hurey, but catcher Alyse Ciafre mishandled the pitch and overthrew first base. Gerhart scored on the error, before Brittany Ziegler singled home Hurey.

Ciafre atoned for her defensive miscue by rifling a leadoff double down the left-field line to start the bottom of the first. Rotz scored her battery mate with a sharp double to the left-field corner.

Mars advances to play Greensburg Salem — a 1-0 winner over Knoch — on Monday at a time and site to be determined.

“It was definitely a big win, everyone was excited to move on,” said Rotz. “It was big for the seniors. It's the first time in (five) years, so it's really exciting.”

West Allegheny 200 000 0 — 2 4 0Mars 100 050 x — 6 11 2W: Taylor Rotz 7IP (6K, 3BB). L: Brianna Lach 6IP (2K, 0BB).West Allegheny: Amanda Gerhart R; Ashley Hurey 1B, R; Brittany Ziegler 1B, 2B, RBI; Cristina Alati 1B.Mars: Alyse Ciafre 2B, R; Erin Hershman 2B, R; Taylor Rotz 1B, 2B, R, 2-RBI; Suzanne Papik 1B, R; Kasey Jones R; Clare Galabinski 1B, RBI; Haley Jones 2-1B, 2-RBI; Keiran Salada 1B; Emily Quail 2-1B, R.Monday: Mars vs. Greensburg Salem, TBD