CHERRY TWP — It was a bitter end for one of the better teams in Moniteau softball history.

Curwensville erupted for nine runs in the top of the fourth and ended the Warriors' season with a 12-0 triumph in five innings on a cold and windy Friday afternoon in a District 9 Class AA semifinal at Moniteau High School.

The Lady Tide plated a run in the top of the first and maintained the 1-0 edge through three innings until Curwensville strung together 10 hits in the decisive fourth frame.

The Warriors (16-5), who finish the campaign one victory shy of the program's single-season win record, managed to limit the damage early. The Lady Tide (16-5) left the bases loaded in the first frame and stranded runners at second and third the following inning.

The wasted opportunities gave an uneasy feeling to Curwensville coach Allen Leigey, who led the program to Class A state titles in 2007 and 2009.

“Early in the game, I was a little concerned. We left runners on and we were letting them hang around,” said Leigey. “Then we exploded and that sort of took the pressure off.”

Moniteau also failed to capitalize on early chances.

Curwensville faced a jam with Warriors on the corners and two outs in the bottom of the first, but the runner at first was called out for leaving the bag too early and ended the threat.

Nicole Buterbaugh hit a one-out triple to right field in the second inning, but was stranded.

Buterbaugh finished the game with Moniteau's only two base knocks, while Curwensville piled up 15 hits.

“They hit the ball and we didn't,” said Moniteau coach Dan Beebe. “We had a couple of runners there early. I don't know if it would have made a difference if we got them in.

“Maybe it would have brought a little more life, little bit more spark and maybe put some pressure on them. But we didn't get those runs in and they just continued to hit the ball.”

After a harmless groundout to start the fourth, the Tide pounced on Moniteau sophomore pitcher Taylor Hasychak.

Tierra Shope singled to left field to begin a run of 11 consecutive Curwensville batters to reach base.

“We scouted them pretty well. We knew (Hasychak) liked to work on the outside,” said Leigey. “It took one time around to figure it out, to time her. We're tough to keep down.”

After Buterbaugh's triple in the second, Shope didn't allow a ball out of the infield. Shope also tormented the Warriors at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.

“She pitched as good as she had all year,” said Leigey. “She was locked in. Not only in the circle, but with the stick.”

Curwensville tacked on two more runs in the fifth and put the game away, to the relief of Leigey.

“Some other teams we've played this year would've folded up. They kept playing hard,” said Leigey of Moniteau. “That's a credit to them and their coaching.

“We wanted to make sure we got it done in five innings because we didn't want it to go seven.”

The loss marked the final game in the Moniteau careers of Buterbaugh, Chloe Eshenbaugh, Heather McMillen, Emily Hiwiller, Sydney Boben, Kelsey Anderson, Aleisha Fowler and Cassidy Maples.

“We've had some good groups come through here. I haven't seen them all, but this definitely has to be up there as one of the best groups,” said Beebe. “They had a great run. It's sad to see them go out like this, but like I told them, in the end there's only going to be four teams celebrating a win and those are the four teams that win a state championship. Everyone is eventually going to go through this except four teams.

“Those guys had a heck of a career here and won a lot of games for us,” he added. “They'll be fine and this program will be fine. We have some good talent coming up and we'll bounce back from this.”

Curwensville 100 92x x — 12 15 1

Moniteau 000 00x x — 0 2 1

W: Tierra Shope 5IP (1K, 1BB). L: Taylor Hasychak 5IP (0K, 5BB).

Curwensville (16-5): Taylor Goodman 2-1B, R; Sarah Wriglesworth 2-1B, 2-R, RBI; Cheyenne Pentz 2-1B, BB, 2-R; Tiffany Carter 2-1B, BB, 2-R, RBI; Abby Johnson 2B, BB, R, 2-RBI; Abby Dugo 1B, BB, R, 4-RBI; Alaina Stiles 1B, R, RBI; Nikki Harker 1B, BB, RBI; Dominique Newkirk R; Tierra Shope 2-2B, 1B, RBI; Riley Young R

Moniteau (16-5): Emily Hiwiller BB; Nicole Buterbaugh 3B, 1B