Tough run to swallow
STRATTANVILLE — Over the past four years, their numbers were downright nasty.
On this day, they were nil.
Moniteau's seniors ended their lengthy run of success Tuesday by dropping a 1-0 decision to Chartiers-Houston in a first round PIAA Class 2A softball playoff game at Clarion-Limestone High School.
The Warriors lost for the first time in 22 games this season. They entered the game with a .453 team batting average while averaging 11.8 runs per game.
They managed but three singles Tuesday against Bucs' junior pitcher Kaitlyn Dittrich and were shut out for the first time in four seasons.
“The ball just didn't bounce our way today. That happens sometimes,” Moniteau coach Lennie Claypoole said. “We were hoping for another long playoff run.
“It just didn't happen.”
Dittrich did not strike out a batter all day. Moniteau senior Kennedy DeMatteis fanned 13 and tossed a two-hitter. The second hit was the ill-fated one.
A pair of walks, a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch gave Chartiers-Houston (17-4) runners at first and third with one out in the sixth inning. DeMatteis then struck out No. 4 hitter Jessica Ford for the third time.
Macie Kesneck, a senior, blooped a single into left field to plate Kayla Alderson with the game's only run.
“Macie has been coming up with big hits like that for us all year,” Bucs coach Tricia Alderson said. “She gets the bat on the ball.”
The Warriors stranded eight runners on base in the game, including four in scoring position.
With runners at first and second and two outs in the third, Kennedy DeMatteis popped out to third. With a runner at second and two outs in the fourth, Kristin Auvil grounded out to shortstop.
With two outs and Gabby Stewart on third in the fifth, Cortney Claypoole hit a liner to right — but right at the right fielder.
“A couple of feet either way and that's a hit for us and a tie game,” Coach Claypoole said. “That's the way the game went for us.”
In the sixth inning, DeMatteis opened with an apparent line single to right. The ball got to right fielder Alderson so quickly, she was able to throw DeMatteis out at first.
With two outs in the seventh, No. 9 hitter Dolcey Shunk singled to center. Stewart walked. Claypoole grounded sharply to shortstop Kaci Alderson, who fired the ball to third to force out Shunk and end the game.
“They made the plays defensively,” Coach Claypoole said. “I thought we were overly aggressive at the plate. We were way out in front on every pitch.
“We tried to do everything all at once up there.”
Coach Alderson said Dittrich “starts most of our games,” but has shared time on the mound this season to avoid fatigue late in the campaign.“Kaitlyn has a nice curve and change of speeds,” Alderson said. “That team has a potent lineup and most players at that high a level like faster pitches.“Kaitlyn kept them off-balance very effectively. If we were going to win this game, it was going to be low scoring. We weren't going to get much off (DeMatteis). We watched her on TV last year (state finals). She's outstanding.”Five of Moniteau's seniors — Kennedy and Kristina DeMatteis to Gannon, Stewart to Marshall, Claypoole to Slippery Rock and Sara Hull to Indiana (Pa.) — have already committed to college softball. The Warrior seniors won four district titles and 85 of 91 games.“They have nothing to hang their heads about ... a fantastic run,” Coach Claypoole said.Chartiers-Houston had been bounced in the first round of the state tournament five years in a row. The Bucs lost in the WPIAL semifinals this season.“Huge win for us. Huge win for this program,” Alderson said.Ch-Houston 000 001 0 — 1 2 1Moniteau 000 000 0 — 0 3 0W: Kaitlyn Dittrich 7IP (0K, 3BB). L: Kennedy DeMatteis 7IP (13K, 2BB).Chartiers-Houston (17-4): Macie Kesneck 1B RBI, Brittany Blumen 1BMoniteau (21-1): Gabby Stewart 1B, Cortney Claypoole 1B, Dolcey Shunk 1B
