Latrobe surges past Planets
Basciano said. “The heart that they’ve shown. How coachable they’ve been for four years. Most have been starters for three, just building.
“The motto was unfinished business, and they just went out and took care of it. But we’re not settled yet. We want to make a nice run in states, too.”
Latrobe scored five runs in the second inning, triggered by a double by Griffin Clark, who went 3 for 4.
Mars pitcher Will Bednar was pulled in favor of Frank Craska in a quick hook. Clark took third on a wild pitch, but Ryan Augustine grounded out to second base to end the top of the second and Latrobe’s hitting spree.
Mars responded with two runs in the bottom of the second as Dylan Rotz walked and scored on an error by Zach Kokoska. Joe Craska scored on a bloop single by Rowen Fletcher.
Pitcher Jared Kollar struck out seven, settling in after allowing two runs in the bottom of the second.
“That’s Jared,” Basciano said. “He usually gets stronger as the game goes on. He’s just a bulldog.
“You watch him out there, no emotion, no matter what happens. Can’t tell if he’s winning or losing.
“That’s what we’ve become accustomed to all year long. He’s just incredible.”
Kollar said he settled down after the second, allowing just one hit in the next two innings. He limited Mars to four hits.
“I think everyone was nervous, but, as the game goes on, you just start to, that starts to wear off a little bit,” Kollar said.
“It must have for me because of the two good innings in a row.”
Kollar kept Mars hitters off balance, coach Andy Bednar said.
“He did an awesome job today,” Andy Bednar said. “I thought his fastball was good, and we knew about his breaking ball going in.
“And he wasn’t behind at all. He was ahead of our hitters all the time and that just made it real difficult.
“We like to think we can work the count a little bit, but, when he was getting ahead the way he did, he threw a great game today.”
For the remainder of the game, Mars could only play catch-up.
Latrobe added another run in the fifth as Kokoska was hit by a pitch and stole second. Ryan Shawley singled to score Kokoska as the Wildcats took a 6-2 lead.
With two outs in the fifth, BrandonWetherholt tripled, but Spencer Croskey grounded out to strand him.
Craska did all he could to keep Latrobe’s offense in check. In the seventh, Clark singled and Shawley and Dan Stas walked, loading the bases.
Craska got Isaac Echard to ground out, preventing another chain-reaction inning. But the Planets’ offense couldn’t keep pace with the Wildcats.
“Made some pitches in some tough situations without warming up, and he did all he can to give us a chance to stay in the game,” Andy Bednar said of Craska.
The game’s start was delayed from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30, as it took Jeannette 12 innings to defeat Greensburg Central Catholic in the previous game, which was marked by a lightning delay.
Both Mars and Latrobe will advance to the PIAA state playoffs, along with West Allegheny, which defeated Chartiers Valley, 12-5, in the consolation game Tuesday.
Latrobe will play the fourth-place team in District 3 in the first round of the state playoffs. “It’s great,” Kollar said. “It’s the first time ever for us, and it’s just amazing.”