Karns City junior Tyler Yough delivers a pitch during the Gremlins' 5-4 victory over Moniteau on Monday at Kelly Automotive Park. Yough struck out five in pitching a complete game.

Tyler Yough did his part. And when called upon, Karns City's defense did the same.

The two combined for a 5-4 baseball victory over Moniteau under a steady stream of snow flurries Monday at Kelly Automotive Park.

The game was Karns City's first of the season.

“We emphasize to our pitchers, pound the zone,” KC coach Josh Smith said. “This is a sport in which the best hitters in the world fail seven out of every 10 times.

“Make them hit the ball. And on a cold day like this, the defense appreciates it.”

“The only way I'd have pulled him was on pitch count,” Smith said. “And he was in good shape that way. That kid battles. I was gonna let him battle his way through to the end.”

Losing pitcher Hunter Fitzingo threw 98 pitches in five innings for Moniteau. The Warrior right-hander escaped major scoring threats twice.

“I was too nervous at the start of this game, too amped up,” Fitzingo said. “We were playing a rival, I didn't get a couple of calls early and let my emotions get the best of me.”

Fitzingo is confident Moniteau will get better as well.

“I like our team,” he said. “We have a lot of guys back and we're a lot more confident this year.”

A full story appears in the Butler Eagle.