SENECA, Venango County - Nathan Markle isn't shy about admitting he's had his eye on Moniteau's career strikeout record for more than two years.

Perhaps it's that bold confidence that has fueled the senior's high school career, which, from a personal standpoint, culminated with a 14 strikeout performance in a 4-1 District 9 Class AA playoff win against Cranberry Tuesday.

Markle, who increased his single-season strikeout standard to 124, moved past 2002 graduate Heath Schreffler to become the school's career strikeout king with 253.

"Breaking the record was always in the back of my mind," said Markle, who became a full-time starter his sophomore season. "It gave me something to shoot for."

He surrendered four hits and walked three against the Berries, helping the Warriors advance to the district title game against Brookville Thursday at a site and time to be determined.

"(Markle) is one of the best pitchers we've faced this season," said Cranberry coach Mike Highfield. "We knew that we weren't going to get many runs against him."

The Moniteau hurler outpitched Cranberry's Kyle Smith, who also struck out 14 but gave up eight hits and walked five.

Markle's been putting up amazing numbers all season long and has added to that list in his team's two playoff games.

Coupled with his 18 strikeouts in last Thursday's win over Redbank Valley, he has now fanned 32 batters in 14 postseason innings pitched.

In Tuesday's win, Markle was on his game right from the start.

Of the first 10 batters he faced, just one reached base - a walk to Dusty Fry to lead off the bottom of the third inning.

The Berries did manage fourth-inning doubles from Smith and Zack Sheffer to account for their lone run.

Cranberry brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Markle got Colt Burk to swing at a high fastball to end the game.

"He was great again today," said Warriors coach Arnie Trufley. "And this was against a good hitting team. Cranberry was the No. 1 seed in the playoffs."

Markle's teammates gave the pitcher all the offense he would need in the top of the sixth inning.

With the score tied 1-1, Smith struck out the first two batters before Travis Shaffer singled and came home on Cory Campbell's double to center field.

Mike Benson drove home Campbell with a base hit of his own and Moniteau led 3-1.

The Warriors added one more run in the seventh, but Markle needed no insurance.

"My sinker was working for me today," Markle said. "It was keeping their hitters off balance."

Moniteau 001 002 1 - 4 8 0

Cranberry 000 100 0 - 1 4 1

WP:

Nathan Markle (7 IP) 14 strikeouts, 3 walks.

LP:

Kyle Smith (7 IP) 14 strikeouts, 5 walks

Moniteau (13-7):

Josh Warburton R, Garth Kohlmeyer 2B, Nathan Markle 1B R, Greg Keppel 1B 2B RBI, Travis Shaffer 1B R, Cory Campbell 2B RBI R, Mike Benson 1B RBI, Cruz Eshenbaugh 1B

Cranberry (13-4):

Kyle Smith 2B R, Zack Sheffer 2B RBI, Dusty Fry 1B, Hank Heeter 1B

Thursday:

Moniteau vs. Brookville, District 9 Class AA Championship, site and time TBD