STRATTANVILLE — Derek Boben gave up two runs in the second inning and found himself, as well as his Moniteau baseball team, trailing early.

Again.

It was almost the same script that played out last week against Brookville when the Warriors faced a 3-0 hole in the first inning of the District 9 Class AA semifinal game.

This story had the same ending.

Boben settled down last week and Moniteau won. On Wednesday in the District 9 Class AA championship game, Boben settled down again and the Warriors' offense erupted for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure the school's first district baseball title with a 6-2 win over rival Karns City at Clarion-Limestone.

“The past two starts, the first inning of that first game, I couldn't find my release point and I was leaving pitches right down the middle of the plate,” Boben said. “And here in the second inning, I couldn't find my release point again. I was leaving balls outside the zone and walking guys.”

And hitting guys.

Karns City's two runs scored on a single by Jimmy Thompson and when Boben plunked Jace Ebbitt with the bases loaded.

Boben, though, was masterful after that second-inning hiccup. He struck out 10 and walked just two to earn the win.

The Moniteau offense, meanwhile, scored a pair of runs on sacrifice flies and got a big two-run single from Zach Adamson to take the lead for good in the fifth.

“It's kind of the way we've played the last several weeks,” said Moniteau coach Ross Martin. “Keep chipping away, stay positive mentally and do the little things. And we did that.

“Derek — that's just a senior who's been there, done that,” Martin added. “Mentally tough was just the way he was the whole year.”

Adamson had three RBI in the game. Josh Adamsson also singled home a run, Aaron Marterella drove in a run with a sac-fly and Boben added insurance with a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth.

Moniteau had just five hits against Martin, who lasted 4 2/3 innings. But the Warriors made the most of them.

Meanwhile, Karns City squandered a few scoring chances.

Thompson led off the top of the fourth with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. But Karns City was unable to push him across while clinging to a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth, Evan Stitt reached with a bunt single, but was thrown out trying to steal second.

In the seventh, Karns City got the first two batters on, but the game ended on a strikeout and 5-4-3 double play.

“We had a lot of missed opportunities to be sure,” said Karns City coach Randy Collins.

It was Karns City's third loss this season to Moniteau. The first two losses came by one run.

“We had to eat some humble pie again today,” Collins said. “It's a good life lesson for these kids. You don't always get what you want.

“There's going to be some big holes to fill (next year),” Collins added. “We have a great underclass. The freshman class is really strong. Hopefully they develop into some good ballplayers this summer.”

Moniteau now prepares for its first state playoff appearance.

The Warriors will play the loser of the Fairview-Girard District 10 Class AA title game at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Clarion-Limestone.

For now they will relish in their first D-9 title after losing in the championship game to Karns City and Cranberry the last two seasons.

“It's a great feeling,” Martin said. “Great for the kids. Our goal was always to get back here and break through and this was finally the group that did it. It's not only for them, but for all the kids throughout the years who were part of the building process. Very proud for each and every one of them.”

Karns City 020 000 0 — 2 6 2

Moniteau 001 032 x — 6 5 0

W: Derek Boben 7IP (10K, 2BB). L: Holden Martin 4.2IP (4K, 5BB).

Karns City: Jace Ebbitt RBI, Evan Stitt 2-1B, Hunter Schaffner 1B, Jimmy Thompson 1B 2B RBI, Tyler Yough 1B

Moniteau: Jake Jewart 1B, Aaron Marterella 1B RBI, Derek Boben 2B RBI, Zach Adamson 1B 3-RBI, Josh Adamson 1B RBI

Monday: Moniteau vs. Fairview-Girard loser at Clarion-Limestone, 4:30 p.m.