CHERRY TWP - Two career days put an end to five Moniteau softball careers Wednesday.

Clearfield sophomore pitcher Hilaree Dixon struck out a career-high 13 batters and junior catcher Nicole Williams had four singles, two RBI and scored two runs as the Bison shut out the Warriors, 5-0, in a District 9 Class AA playoff game.

The loss ended the Lady Warriors' season at 16-4. Moniteau seniors Melanie Foreman, Brittney Beachem, Cori Christy, Melissa Casper and Selena Edinger were part of three consecutive KSAC championship teams.

"She was tremendous," Moniteau coach Dan Hindman said of Dixon, who entered the game with an 8-3 record. "She had her control, changed speeds and hit her spots.

"We don't get to see very much pitching at that level. We were struggling at the plate, no doubt about it," he added.

Natalie DeMatteis had three of Moniteau's four hits - all singles - and Dixon's lone walk was in the seventh inning.

Only one Moniteau runner got as far as third base.

"I knew Hilaree was exceptionally quick today, but I never would have guessed she had that many strikeouts," Clearfield coach Marv Solomon said.

The Bison grabbed an early lead when Nicole Collins delivered a two-out RBI single to center in the first inning. The hit came moments after Warriors center fielder Sara Vinca robbed Samantha Morgan of a probable three-run homer by making an over-the-shoulder catch in deep left-center.

Williams produced a two-out, two-run single in the second inning to extend Clearfield's lead to 3-0.

"Nicole came into this game hitting about .290," Solomon said. "She's been hitting the ball well lately, but she's never had a game like this."

Moniteau pitcher Edinger surrendered 11 hits and did not strike out a batter. The only walk she allowed - to Dixon leading off the second - came around to score.

"It took Selena an inning or two to settle in," Hindman said. "Those two-out hits hurt. They can deflate a defense."

Clearfield added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings when Amber Weaver hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth and Samantha Morgan contributed a run-scoring triple in the seventh.

The Bison suffered a 4-3 playoff loss at Moniteau last year.

"A lot of our girls were here last year," Solomon said. "We gave up a run in the last inning. Our team was pumped up on the way down here.

"We had a nice ride down. We'll have a nice ride back," he added.

Hindman said Moniteau's program should be able to sustain itself next season.

"We'll have good numbers in our freshman class next year and the year after that" he said. "There are a lot of good young players there, but it's hard when you're not used to facing high-quality pitching.

"Clearfield, Brookville, Punxsutawney - those teams play each other a lot up there and have seen a lot of top-level pitching. We haven't. You saw the difference today."

Clearfield 120 001 1 - 5 11 3

Moniteau 000 000 0 - 0 4 2

WP:

Hilaree Dixon (7 IP) 13 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Selena Edinger (7 IP) 0 strikeouts, 1 walk

Clearfield (14-7):

Nicole Williams 4-1B 2-RBI 2-R, Lindsay Rowles 1B, Samantha Morgan 3B RBI, Nicole Collins 1B RBI, Laura Jacobson 2-1B, Amber Weaver 1B RBI, Chelsea Kovalick 1B

Moniteau (16-4):

Sara Vinca 1B, Natalie DeMatteis 3-1B

Wednesday:

Clearfield vs. Brookville, District 9 Class AA championship, site, time TBA