By Derek Pyda
Eagle Staff Writer

JEFFERSON TWP — The Mars softball team has struggled scoring runs this season.
Knoch's Chelsea Martin made sure that trend continued.
The Knights' junior pitcher allowed only two hits, striking out nine and walking two in a 6-0 shutout of the Planets Monday at Laura Doerr Park.
Martin surrendered her first hit with two outs in the top of the fourth on a double by Mars catcher Brittany Berkopec.
Martin finished the game strong, retiring the final eight batters in order.
"Chelsea makes it easy for us out there," said Knoch first baseman and captain Jade Thrower. "We're confident playing behind her. If they do hit it, we go and get it."
After leaving four runners on base in the first two innings, the Knights (4-0, 4-0) got on the scoreboard when Kirsten Brant reached on a throwing error in the bottom of the third, stole second and scored on Amanda Sheppeck's single off Mars starter Rachel Pastorek.
Martin helped herself with a two-run single in the fourth, bringing home Ashlee Antoszyk and courtesy runner Crystal Rafalko.
Thrower added an RBI single later in the inning and Michelle Steinmiller capped the scoring with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.
The Knights have now scored 29 runs in four games, but coach Scott Docherty knows his team is capable of more.
"To be honest, I'm disappointed in our hitting," he said. "We have six girls capable of hitting the ball out of the ballpark and we're just not playing our best right now."
"We haven't had many teams put us in pressure situations," said Thrower of her team's offense. "I think if we just start hitting better in the first few innings, we'll be all right."
Pastorek shouldered the loss for the Planets (1-4, 1-4), striking out 11 and walking seven.
The freshman gave up the six runs on eight hits.
"I think Rachel has done a fantastic job so far," said Mars coach Michele Goodworth. "She's working hard and is holding up her end of the bargain."
The offense is another story.
Mars scored seven runs in a loss to Indiana March 27. In the team's other four games, the offense has produced four runs total.
"We had a good game plan offensively today," said Goodworth. "But we've struggled to produce runs. Everyone is struggling."
Pastorek singled in the top of the fifth inning for the Planets second and final hit of the game.