CHERRY TWP — Kristina DeMatteis was already a potent offensive threat in the middle of the Moniteau softball team's lineup.

But she has added something that makes her even more dangerous at the plate — the long ball.

The Warriors' clean-up hitter crushed a 3-run home run as part of Moniteau's 5-run third inning in Tuesday's 11-1 drubbing of visiting Pine-Richland.

It is the seventh home run of the season for DeMatteis, who batted .536 last year.

“I hit just one home run all of last season,” she said. “I've been lifting weights and I think that's been the difference for me. I haven't changed anything with my swing, but I feel stronger.”

The power surge comes a season after teammate Cortney Claypoole led the Warriors with six home runs last year after not hitting any as a freshman and sophomore.

DeMatteis' effort so far this season has helped the undefeated Warriors score 84 runs in seven games.

“The offense has been very good,” said Moniteau coach Lennie Claypoole. “Spots 1-5 of the order (Gabby Stewart, Claypoole, Kennedy DeMatteis, Kristina DeMatteis and Sara Hull) are set. That's the first half of our lineup in every game. We still have to improve at the bottom of the order to get where we want to be.”

The Warriors found themselves in a rare early hole Tuesday following a solo home run from Pine-Richland's Kate Horrell in the top of the first inning off Moniteau star pitcher Kennedy DeMatteis.

“It was supposed to be a rise ball, but it didn't come up,” said Kristina DeMatteis, the team's catcher.

Moniteau tied the game in the bottom of the first when Kennedy DeMatteis' double plated Gabby Stewart.

The Warriors' bats really came to life in the third. Prior to DeMatteis' home run, Claypoole's double scored Dolcey Shunk and Stewart for a 3-1 lead.

The offense was charged to Pine-Richland starting pitcher Cameron Devinney.

“Our top pitcher, Morgan Hall, injured her hand in practice (Monday) and is out,” said Rams coach Gary Shepard. “Cameron has thrown a few varsity innings for us, but it's a learning process for her. A lot of her pitches caught too much of the plate today.”

Meanwhile, Kennedy DeMatteis shook off her early mistake and began to dominate Pine-Richland's lineup. Over the final five innings, she walked one and allowed just one hit — Joselyn Hostetler's single in the fifth. She finished with eight strikeouts.

“She was hitting her spots well, both inside and out,” said Kristina of her twin sister and battery mate.

“She buckled down,” Lennie Claypoole said of his pitcher. “She is still maturing and Kristina calls the whole game. That helps.”

The Rams (5-4) were set down in order in the third, fourth and sixth innings.

“Five called third strikes are too many,” said Shepard. “You have to make adjustments at the plate after seeing the pitcher the first time.”

Moniteau added three runs in the fifth on Stewart's bases-clearing triple. Hull singled home a tenth run in the sixth and Kristina DeMatteis ended the game via the mercy rule when she scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Megan Hepler.

Pine-Richland 100 000 x — 1 2 0

Moniteau 105 032 x — 11 12 2

W: Kennedy DeMatteis 6 IP (8K, 1BB). L: Cameron Devinney 5+ IP (1K, 1BB).

Pine-Richland (5-4): Kate Horrell HR, Joselyn Hostetler 1B

Moniteau (7-0): Gabby Stewart 2-1B 3B 2R 3RBI, Cortney Claypoole 2B R 2RBI, Kennedy DeMatteis 1B 2B R RBI, Kristina DeMatteis HR 2R 3RBI, Sara Hull 1B RBI, Megan Hepler 1B R RBI, Madisyn Clark 1B R, Dolcey Shunk 2-1B 2R, Makayla King R

Thursday: Moniteau at Cranberry