Moniteau's Dolce Shunk lays down a bunt in the District 9 softball playoffs Wednesday afternoon against Redbank Valley. Moniteau won the game by a score of 10-0 in five innings.

CHERRY TWP — Last year, a loss in the state championship game kept the Moniteau softball team's great season from being a truly spectacular one.

The Warriors took the first postseason step toward retribution on Wednesday, crushing visiting Redbank Valley 10-0 in five innings in a District 9 Class AA semifinal.

Moniteau (20-0) advances to next Wednesday's title game against Cranberry, a 7-6 winner over Johnsonburg.

“The girls hear it everywhere they go,” said Moniteau coach Lennie Claypoole. “People ask them, “Are you going to win states this year?'

“But we know we have to play one game at a time and they have stayed focused the whole season.”

According to Warrior senior first baseman Sara Hull, Redbank Valley's pitcher, Alyssa Burkett, required her team's full attention on Wednesday.

“She's jammed me on inside pitches before and it's been tough for me to get a hit off of her,” said Hull. “She's very good.”

But the Warriors wasted no time getting to the senior pitcher.

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