Martina Burk is on the top of her game.

Because of that, Moniteau is a date with a rival away from a District 9 Class AA softball title.

Burk struck out 17, walked one and had two doubles as the Warriors beat No. 1 seed Kane 5-2 in eight innings Wednesday.

"She's been pitching real well lately," said Moniteau coach Danny Hindman. "The difference is she's getting the support she needs to be successful."

Moniteau fell behind 1-0 after the first inning, but rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the sixth. Kane tied the score in the bottom of the inning, but the Warriors scored three runs in the top of the eighth and Burk sealed the deal.

Ashley Lominski led off the eighth with a triple and scored on an RBI groundout by Amber Neff. Three straight doubles by Burk, Brandi Neff and Megan Campbell gave the Warriors all the insurance runs they would need.

The clutch hitting brought a smile to Hindman's face.

"That's something we have been somewhat lacking all season," Hindman said. "Hopefully, all those games we played in Florida and all the games these girls played last summer are starting to pay off."

Moniteau will face a familiar foe next Wednesday at a site to be determined. The Warriors will play Karns City, a 9-4 winner over Redbank Valley, at 4:30 p.m.

Karns City beat Moniteau 3-0 in the only meeting between the two teams this season.

Moniteau 001 001 03—5 6 0Kane 100 001 00—2 5 2Martina Burk and Amber Neff; Swartz and Johnson.

W: Burk (17 K, 1 BB).

L: Swartz (8 K, 2 BB).

Moniteau (11-7): Burk 2-2B 2-R, Brandi Neff 2B R RBI, Ashley Pisor 2B R, Megan Campbell 2B, Ashley Lominski 3B

Kane: Johnson 2-1B R