Moniteau kept the Gremlins in check for three innings on Friday at Pullman Park.

Over the next three frames, Karns City couldn't be stopped.

Zach Moore capped the offensive outburst with a three-run homer and the Gremlins cruised to a 12-1 win over the Warriors in six innings.

Moniteau trailed 2-0 just three batters into the game, but Warriors starting pitcher Trent Young limited Karns City to one hit during the second and third innings.

However, the first five batters of the fourth inning crossed the plate and the Gremlins seized complete control of the game.

“They were getting patient at the plate again, got back to the basics,” said Karns City coach Randy Collins. “I think they got a couple of big hits in the beginning there and they wanted to hit it a little too hard.”

Nathan Weckerly tripled to lead off the game and Tyler Kepple drove him in with a sacrifice fly to right. Nick Ganter followed with a triple to left field and scooted home after the cutoff throw went awry.

Young settled down and allowed just two hits until the Gremlins (5-0) pounced in the fourth inning.

The five-run fourth was keyed by a two-RBI triple from Wyatt Everetts, before Holden Martin scored Everetts with his second double of the game. Weckerly's RBI single off reliever Colton Cumberland pushed the Gremlins' advantage to 7-0.

The Warriors (2-3) responded in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI double from Elijah Stewart to score Austin Blauser, but it marked Moniteau's final hit of the contest.

Tyler Kepple — who pitched the first three innings for the Gremlins — ripped an RBI triple that one-hopped the left-field fence in the fifth to give Karns City a 9-1 cushion.

Matt Yough pitched the latter three frames, retired the final eight batters he faced and led off the sixth with a single during a 3-for-4 performance. Mike Riley followed suit with a single to left to chase Cumberland from the game.

As Moniteau reliever Derek Boben warmed up, Collins gave Moore some advice.

“I told him to be ready for that first-pitch strike,” Collins said.

Apparently, Moore was listening.

The junior left fielder belted the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence for the first home run of his high school career.

Boben sat down the next three Karns City hitters, but Yough did the same to Moniteau in the bottom half of the sixth to end the game.

Kepple and Yough combined to throw a four-hitter with the help of a stellar defensive performance.

While at shortstop, Yough lunged to his left to stab a grounder and Mike Riley picked the one-hop toss to first. Third baseman Scott Kiser — who was also celebrating his birthday — made a diving snag to his left on a well-struck ground ball, popped up and delivered a strong throw to rob Cody Skiver of a hit.

Playing well in all phases of the game, the Gremlins hope to sustain the momentum and make another deep playoff run after falling in the District 9 Class AA title game last season.

“We set those goals,” said Collins. “We want to go back to districts again and get into states.

“I think the belief level is really high right now and that's because of what we've been talking about the whole offseason.”

Moniteau coach Ross Martin was unavailable for comment.

Karns City 200 523 x — 12 15 0

Moniteau 000 100 x — 1 4 2

W: Tyler Kepple 3 IP (1K, 0BB). L: Trent Young 3 IP (2K, 1BB).

Karns City (5-0): Nathan Weckerly 3B, 1B, 2-R, RBI; Tyler Kepple 3B, 1B, 2-RBI; Nick Ganter 3B, R; Matt Yough 3-1B; Tyler Dunn R; Mike Riley 1B, R; Zach Moore HR, 1B, 2-R, 3-RBI; Scott Kiser 1B, 2-R; Wyatt Everetts 3B, R, 2-RBI; Holden Martin 2-2B, 2-R, RBI

Moniteau (2-3): Austin Blauser 1B, R; Elijah Stewart 2B, RBI; Jake McBride 1B; Trent Young 1B

Tuesday: Redbank Valley vs. Karns City at Pullman Park, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Moniteau at East Forest