CHERRY TWP — Kristina DeMatteis doesn't like to keep track of numbers.

Except one.

Wins.

But even DeMatteis couldn't help but recognize she had a day against Karns City Wednesday afternoon.

“I guess,” she said, smiling.

DeMatteis clubbed three home runs — a two-run shot in the first, a solo blast in the fifth and another two-run drive in the seventh — as the Warriors cruised to a 10-0 win over the Gremlins.

And Moniteau got to put another tick in a crowded win column.

“It meant something to me because we won,” DeMatteis said about her power surge. “It meant something because it was senior night and everything that went into that.”

DeMatteis now has 10 home runs this season to go with 29 RBI. The senior catcher is batting .537.

Before the game, the eight Moniteau seniors were recognized in a ceremony.

It's a close group and the realization that this is the final year together on a softball field after so many seasons dominating on it started to sink in, said Moniteau softball coach Lennie Claypoole.

“We kind of know it's coming,” Claypoole said. “We talk about it, but we kind of blow it off because we have another game to play. But when they were calling their names there — it was tough.”

Karns City nearly jumped on Moniteau shortly after the ceremony.

The Gremlins put runners on first and third with one out, but couldn't get a run across against Kennedy DeMatteis.

“We had our chances initially,” said Karns City coach Mike Stitt. “We're a young team and it showed the later we went.”

Moniteau took a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but Karns City played tough against the Warriors, trailing just 4-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

But DeMatteis led off the inning with a home run and Moniteau tacked on another unearned run for a 6-0 lead.

In the sixth, another error opened the door for a game-ending single by No. 9 hitter Dolcey Shunk to trigger the mercy rule.

“I think if we would have cleaned up our errors, we would have hung with them,” Stitt said. “They beat us 15-0 the first time and we got a moral victory out of this.”

The top of the Moniteau lineup was again potent, going a combined 7-of-12 with six runs scored and seven RBI, but the bottom of the order also chipped in.

Amanda Dailey had a pair of singles and a RBI after entering the game in the No. 8 spot and Shunk also had a pair of hits.

“We probably have the best leadoff hitter — I wouldn't trade (Gabby Stewart) for anyone in the state,” Claypoole said. “And our No. 9 hitter (Shunk), she figures a way to get on base and rolls the lineup over. I wouldn't want to have to play our top of the lineup.”

Kennedy DeMatteis struck out 14 in six innings to get the win. Logan Byers pitched well over four innings for Karns City, striking out three and giving up four runs — three earned — in the loss.

Claypoole said Moniteau will try to pull off an interesting doubleheader today when they host Ellwood City before attempting to squeeze in a game at A-C Valley.

For Karns City, the only 3A team in District 9, playing a team like Moniteau is a valuable learning experience as it prepares for a PIAA playoff game.

“This game should help us,” Stitt said. “Every game we can play with all the rain outs we've have, the more repetitions the girls can get, we'll get better.”

Karns City 000 000 x — 0 4 4

Moniteau 300 124 x — 10 13 0

W: Kennedy DeMatteis 6IP (14K, 1BB). L: Logan Byers 4IP (3K, 0BB).

Karns City (7-3): Emily Wolfe 1B, Alyssa Stitt 2B, Makayla Bailey 1B, Kate Allen 2B

Moniteau (16-0): Gabby Stewart 2-1B, Cortney Claypoole 2-1B RBI, Kennedy DeMatteis RBI, Kristina DeMatteis 3-HR 5-RBI, Amanda Dailey 1B, Kristin Auvil 2-1B RBI, Dolcey Shunk 2-1B RBI

Today: Ellwood City at Moniteau; Moniteau at A-C Valley

Friday: Karns City at Cranberry