CHERRY TWP — Unprecedented team success has led to individual achievement for several Moniteau softball players.

The Warriors placed five players on the Class AA All-State teams, released Tuesday.

Pitcher Kennedy DeMatteis, shortstop Cortney Claypoole and outfielder Gabby Stewart each earned first-team recognition.

First baseman Sara Hull made second team and catcher Kristina DeMatteis was an honorable mention.

The five players, who will be seniors in the fall, helped Moniteau get past the first-round state playoff hurdle, which had ended the program's season in five previous campaigns. The Warriors reached the PIAA championship game and finished with an overall record of 24-2.

“It's a great accomplishment for the team and the entire program,” said Moniteau coach Dan Beebe. “We thought some of our players in the past deserved it, but maybe due to our early exits in the state playoffs, they didn't get it.

“I've been the head coach here since 2011 and we'd never had a girl make any of the all-state teams. Getting to the state championship game definitely helped.”

Stewart believes the 6-0 win over District 5 champion Everett in the first round of the PIAA tournament was a true milestone for the program.

“The road to states was awesome, but getting past that first game, it was something we were unable to do the last couple of years,” she said. “It was an accomplishment for all of us.”

Kennedy DeMatteis turned in a remarkable season in the circle, tallying a 23-2 record, a 1.12 ERA and 236 strikeouts compared to just 52 walks in 144 innings pitched.

In the second half of the season, she went 11 straight games without giving up a run.

“This honor means a lot to me,” she said. “I've put in a lot of work since my freshman year.”

Kennedy DeMatteis was no slouch at the plate, batting .591 with 34 runs scored and 49 RBI. But she had a lot of company with her offensive prowess.

Claypoole led the team in runs scored (48), RBI (52) and home runs (6). Her fielding percentage of .977 was also the best on the team.

“I'm most proud of the RBIs,” said Claypoole. “I worked out all winter and got a lot stronger. I had never hit a home run before and this year I had six. My strength and confidence were up this season.

“It's hard to put into words,” Claypoole added of being named all-state. “I've been working at this most of my life. Now, I feel like I'm getting somewhere.”

Stewart paced Moniteau with a .645 batting average and caused havoc on the base paths with 27 steals in 29 attempts.

“I waited on the sign from Coach Beebe, but it all depended on the catcher,” she said of swiping bases. “We'd watch the catcher and see how long it took her to get the ball back to the pitcher.

“I think back to when I was just a kid growing up in Marion Township,” added Stewart. “Fast-forward to now, being named all-state is a bit of a shock for me.”

Kristina DeMatteis and Hull added hefty averages of .536 and .486, respectively.

Imagine facing a lineup that includes five all-state players in the first five spots in the batting order. That was the task faced by opposing pitchers against the Warriors this past season. The top half of Moniteau's order was Stewart, Claypoole, Kennedy DeMatteis, Kristina DeMatteis and Hull.

“Gabby is such a good leadoff hitter, she can get on base in so many ways,” Kennedy DeMatteis said. “She gets on and one of us is going to find a way to bring her in.”

Their love of softball and a shared contribution to team success has created a strong bond for Moniteau's fab five.

“We've played together for so long,” said Claypoole. “And if one of us does mess up, the others are there to pick her up.

“We didn't just wake up one day as five of the best hitters in the state. We've all been working at it since we were 8-years old.”