ADAMS TWP — Will Bednar may be Mars' No. 3 starter, but he certainly did not pitch as such Monday afternoon.

The Planet sophomore was the definition of efficient, needing just 79 pitches to shut out visiting Hampton in a 1-0 Section 1-5A baseball victory.

The win, coupled with North Hills' 2-0 victory over Fox Chapel Monday night, means the Planets (11-5, 10-2) will share the section championship with North Hills.

Bednar struck out nine, walked one and allowed just two hits in his latest outing.

“Will has pitched really well for us and he earned this start,” said Planet coach Andy Bednar. “I thought his secondary stuff was working well today, including his curveball. He was throwing a splitter in the dirt against their lefties, but they were going for it.”

Hampton starter Austin Steedle kept the Planets off the scoreboard by stranding two baserunners in both the second and third frames, but Mars scored the only run it would need in the bottom of the fourth.

The inning started with Frank Craska's single. Courtesy runner Tyler Kowalkowski moved to second base on an errant pick-off attempt from Steedle. He advanced to third base on a groundout from Tim Rouda and scored moments later on a wild pitch.

Steedle left the game after 5 2/3 innings due to the new pitch-count rule. He struck out six, walked one and surrendered four hits.

“He battled and kept us in the game,” said Hampton coach Gary Wilson. “But give credit to Mars. They manufactured a run and that was the difference.”

Will Bednar set the Talbots (11-5, 8-3) down in order in the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Hampton's best chance to score came in the top of the third when Burke Camper singled and courtesy runner Casey Marshalwitz went to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Tyler Steedle walked, but Bednar induced Phil Conti to fly out, ending the inning.

Bednar had pitched one inning of relief in his team's 6-2 victory at Hampton April 22.

“I didn't know much about their lineup's strengths,” said Bednar, “but it was important for me just to throw strikes, keep the ball down and trust my defense.”

Bednar's emergence has given Mars a solid quartet of pitchers, along with seniors Dylan Rotz and Doogie Cannon and junior Frank Craska.

The foursome has combined for 95 strikeouts compared to just 24 walks and an ERA just under 1.00.

“This is the best combined pitching staff we've had since I've been here,” Andy Bednar said. “If we can manufacture a couple of runs, we feel pretty good about our chances of winning a game.

“We beat a really good team with a really good pitcher today.”

Wilson spoke about the strength of Section 1 following the game.

“The top three teams (North Hills, Mars, Hampton) can play with anybody,” he said. “We can all make runs in the playoffs.”

Rotz is hoping for just that out of the Planets.

“Our pitching has done a great job of carrying us,” he said. “If our offense heats up a bit, we can go all the way.”

Hampton 000 000 0 — 0 2 1

Mars 000 100 x — 1 4 0

W: Will Bednar 7 IP (9K, 1BB). L: Austin Steedle 5.2 IP (6K, 1BB).

Hampton (11-5, 8-3): Tyler Bischke 2B, Burke Camper 1B

Mars (11-5, 10-2): Brandon Wetherholt 1B, Jack Anderson 1B, Frank Craska 1B, Anthony Michalski 2B, Tyler Kowalkowski R

Wednesday: Blackhawk at Mars