The first round of the state playoffs used to spell the end of Moniteau’s softball season.

The Warriors have encountered no such trouble this year, clearing three hurdles by a combined score of 20-0. If they can leap over one more, they will be crowned state champions.

Moniteau (24-1) will battle defending state champion Holy Redeemer (24-3) in the PIAA Class AA title game at 3 p.m. Thursday at Penn State University.

Prior to this season, Moniteau had qualified for the state playoffs five different times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015). But each time the Warriors failed to advance past the first round.

Many of this year’s players met with disappointment in the state tournament the last couple of years.

“I think maturity is one of the big things that has made a difference for us in these playoffs,” said Warrior coach Dan Beebe. “We always had the talent to be successful, but now we have the experience to go with it.”

It all starts with junior pitcher Kennedy DeMatteis. An 18-2 record, 1.78 ERA and 177 strikeouts — those were DeMatteis’ stats as a sophomore. It was a very strong season to be sure, but she has managed to dwarf that effort with her numbers from this year — a 22-1 record, 0.75 ERA and 227 strikeouts.

“She’s gotten better,” Beebe said. “Her and Kristina (DeMatteis, catcher) are able to read hitters. That’s a big benefit to us, especially in the playoffs.”

But the Warriors are much more than a star pitcher. They carry a team batting average of .484 into Thursday’s game, led by leadoff hitter Gabby Stewart’s robust .652. Four other starters are batting at least .500, including Cortney Claypoole (.603), Kennedy DeMatteis (.586), Kristina DeMatteis (.550) and Sara Hull (.500).

The Warriors have exactly 100 extra-base hits on the season, with Claypoole, the No. 2 hitter, leading in triples (6) and home runs (6).

“We’ve also fielded the ball much better this year,” said Beebe. “We’ve cut our errors in half from last season (from 31 to 16). There may be less balls hit because of Kennedy’s pitching, but that can work against a defense. Sometimes a pitcher is so dominant that when the defense is forced to make a play, they don’t. But the girls have done a great job.”

Beebe attended last year’s state title game and witnessed Holy Redeemer defeat Deer Lakes 10-5.

“A freshman pitcher (Morgan Bienkowski) won that game,” said Beebe. “So they have great pitching and can hit one through nine.”

Holy Redeemer is located in Wilkes-Barre (District 2).

The Royals trailed Deer Lakes 5-2 after one and a half innings last season before scoring the final eight runs to claim the state crown.

That type of resolve came into play for the team again this season.

In the District 2 title game June 1, Holy Redeemer was on the short end of a 3-0 score after four innings against Mid Valley. But the Royals tied the game before scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn the district’s lone state playoff berth.

“Our past experience helped the girls know that a game isn’t over after just a few innings,” said Royals coach Jerome Paulukonis.

Sophomore Bienkowski and junior Kristen Coffay have both seen at least three innings in the circle in all three of Holy Redeemer’s state playoff wins.

Bienkowski earned the win in relief in victories over Milton (7-3) and Kutztown (7-1) while Coffay started and was the winning pitcher in a 4-0 semifinal win over Pine Grove on Monday.

Both have put up great numbers. Bienkowski is 8-0 with a 0.46 ERA and 129 strikeouts. Coffay sports a 12-2 record, 1.32 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Both pitchers have combined to walk just 32 batters in 160 innings.

“Neither one has overpowering stuff over the other,” said Paulukonis, “but if we feel that a team is starting to get the timing down on one, we’ll put the other one in. We play it by ear.”

The Royals graduated five seniors from last year’s state title team, but didn’t miss a beat with a strong class of freshmen and sophomores.

Three of the team’s top four hitters are underclassmen — freshmen Tiana Wren (.488) and Allyson Laiuvara (.382) and sophomore Bienkowski (.345). Wren has hit nine of the team’s 12 home runs. Junior Abby Shorts is second on the team with a .389 batting average.

“Our sophomores and freshmen have been huge for us,” said Paulukonis. “If it wasn’t for them filling in the slots from last year’s team, we wouldn’t be here.”

Moniteau is leaving this morning and will stop at Philipsburg-Osceola High School, 25 miles west of State College, to hold a practice.

“Their team is going to be there to greet us when we get off the bus and they are letting us use their field,” said Beebe. “They’re being great to us.

“The girls have been so focused on our goals, but after we get into State College on Wednesday and check into the hotel, that will give us all a chance to stop and smell the roses.”

Warrior fans have followed the team this far and Beebe expects even more support at Thursday’s game.

“When Clarion played in the state championship game in 2011, just about every KSAC coach was there to support them,” he said. “I think there will be a lot of District 9 representatives. Warrior Nation will be there in red, but I also expect to see some one-day Moniteau fans.”