CHERRY TWP — Larissa Fowler sat in the dugout, holding back the tears with a quivering upper lip.

"Thanks for a great senior season," she told her teammates.

The Moniteau senior's season was over in much the same way others in her softball career had ended: with a disheartening loss to arch-nemesis Brookville.

It happened to the Warriors again Thursday as they blew 4-0 and 8-5 leads to the Raiders on the way to a 16-9 loss in the first round of the District 9 Class AA playoffs.

"It's very disappointing," said Moniteau coach Danny Hindman. "Late in the game there, you could see it in the girls. I'm sure that had something to do with some of the runs scored against us late. I don't remember ever having 16 runs scored against us."

The fact it came against Brookville made it seem worse.

The Raiders have been a pox to the Warriors over the years. Moniteau's season has ended with a loss toBrookville in four of the last five years.

"I don't feel today it was a mental thing," Hindman said. "Our girls were ready to play today. I just think they play a lot of ball up there."

Moniteau wasn't sure if it would get another shot at Brookville this season after a slow start with a roster full of freshmen and sophomores.

But the Warriors (12-6) found their stride and won the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference for the third time in four seasons.

Brookville (7-10) on the other hand struggled and barely squeaked into the playoffs.

"I think some of it is we play a number of Triple-A and Quad-A teams up our way," said Brookville coach Greg Fenstermaker. "So, our record doesn't really indicate how good we are. That helps us when we come into situations like this."

That's why Brookville didn't panic when it fell behind 3-0 after the first inning and 4-0 after two frames.

The Raiders rallied with five runs in the top of the fourth against Moniteau starter Martina Burk. The big inning was sparked by a bases-loaded triple by Carlie Cook.

But Moniteau answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, which was keyed by a run-scoring double by Megan Campbell and a two-run single by Amber Neff, to give the Warriors an 8-5 lead

Brookville put up four runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good before Raiders pitcher Chelsea Cook made sure there was no rally in Moniteau by retiring the Raiders in order on just four pitches in the bottom of the inning.

By the time Moniteau got another hit against Cook, Brookville was up 16-8, thanks to a seven-run seventh that closed the door on the Warriors.

All the runs came against Sara Vinca, who picked up the loss. The senior walked six — including two with the bases loaded — hit a batter and gave up nine runs.

"As a coach, I'll probably wonder if I made the right decision starting (Burk) over Sara," Hindman said. "There's a different mentality when you are the starter than when you come into a game as a reliever."

Vinca, who was the conference MVP, went 2-for-3 and finished the season batting .691.

It also was the last game for Fowler. The two seniors leave behind a team budding with young talent.

But that did little to temper the latest loss to Brookville.

"To me, it's all or nothing," Hindman said. "You have only so many opportunities in life. Fortunately for us, we've had quite a few in the last few seasons."

Eight of the nine hitters in the Brookville lineup drove in at least one run. The Raiders will play Redbank Valley in the championship game Wednesday.

Brookville 000 540 7—16 13 4Moniteau 310 400 1—9 8 4WP: Chelsea Cook (7 IP) 8 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP: Sara Vinca (3 IP) 2 strikeouts, 6 walks

Brookville (7-10): Carlie Cook 2B, 3B, 3-RBI; Kasey Snyder 1B, 2-RBI; Chelsea Cook 1B, 2-RBI; Megan McKinley 2-1B, 2-RBI; Tia Hetrick 2-1B; Tasha Swonger 2-1B, 2-RBI; Amanda Liebman 2B, 2-RBI; Ashley Modany 2-1B; Khira Gadley RBI

Moniteau (12-6): Megan Campbell 2B, RBI; Sara Vinca 2-1B; Amber Neff 2-1B, 2-RBI; Martina Burk RBI; Stephanie Bonzo 2-1B, RBI; Ashley Pisor 1B