CHERRY TWP — Moniteau’s seven-year drought ended in a deluge of runs.

The Warriors came from behind three times to defeat rival Karns City, 15-14, in a bizarre eight-inning softball game Wednesday at Moniteau High School. The hosts trailed 3-0 in the third inning, 6-4 in the fifth,14-8 in the eighth and were able to come back each time.

The victory marked Moniteau’s first softball win over Karns City in seven seasons.

“This whole thing was unbelievable,” Monitrau coach Bob Rottman said. “This win means a lot to these girls.”

“Just a tremendous softball game ... They came back, we came back. They just scored one more run than we did,” Karns City coach Mike Stitt said.

Consider the following:

The teams combined for 29 runs, 36 hits and 10 errors.

Moniteau’s No.’s 8 and 9 hitters — Addy Williams and Ashley Huffman — combined for eight hits, seven RBI and four runs scored.

Karns City’s No.’s 4 and 5 hitters — Jada Polczynmski and Nicole Taylor — combined for eight hits, five RBI and seven runs.

Ten players hit safely for Karns City.

Williams delivered a go-ahead home run in the fourth inning, a go-ahead single in the fifth and a game-tying single in the eighth.

“We just felt like we could do it,” Wiolliams said of Moniteau’s seven-run eighth inning. “The way this game was going ... When we got the first couple of runners on, the confidence was there.

“I had never hit a home run before. That one felt pretty good.”

Williams drilled a two-out, three-run homer in the fourth to give the Warriors (4-2) a 4-3 lead. But that proved to be only the first flip of the yo-yo on this day. Taylor delivered a run-scoring single in the fifth and Brooklynn Taylor’s infield grounder knotted the game in the fifth for KC. Madison Gibson’s single to right drove in the go-ahead tally.

Emma Covert — the game’s winning pitcher — homered to center to begin Moniteau’s fifth, starting a four-run inning that gave the Warriors an 8-6 lead. The Gremlins answered with two runs of their own in the sixth.

The game was tied at 8 through seven innings. Both pitchers — Covert and Karns City’s Addison Burrosws — tossed complete games.

“This game was all about hitting,” Stitt said. “Both pitchers did well. It’s just that we can hit the ball from 1 through 9 in the lineup and they can do the same thing.”

Jessica Rodgers’ two-tun double in the top of the eighth started a six-run rally for KC. Burrows and Jess Dunn had RBI doubles in the frame as well.

But the Gremlins couldn’t hold the lead.

Williams, Huffman, Mariska Shunk, Brianna Rottman and Covert all singled to begin the Warriors’ half of the eighth. Autumn Stewart hit into a force play. Singles by Emily Staab and Alex Stewart followed. Lily Staab was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Williams singled to left to tie the game. Huffman drew a bases-loaded walk to end it.

“This is the first time we’ve beaten them in so long, ” Williams said. “This was just crazy.”

“The bottom part of our order carried us through most of the day,” Rottman said. “The top part of our lineup got going when it had to. This is a great team win. Karns City can hit the ball and so can we.

“This is why you never give up.”

Karns City 201 032 06 — 14 19 4

Moniteau 001 340 07 — 15 17 6

WP: Emma Covert 8IP (3K, 4BB). LP: Addison Burrows 7.1IP (4K, 3BB).

Karns City (4-4): Lyrik Reed 2-1B RBI, Addison Burrows 2B RBI, Jessica Dunn 1B 2B RBI, Jada Polczynski 3B 2B 3-1B 2-RBI 4-R, Nicole Taylor 4-1B 3-RBI 3-R, Haley Sherman 2-1B RBI, Brooklynn Taylor RBI, Taylor Hunter 1B RBI, Bailey O’Donnell 2B RBI, Jessica Rodgers 1B 2B

Moniteau (4-2): Mariska Shunk 1B RBI, Brianna Rottman 1B 2-RBI, Emma Covert HR 1B RBI 2-R, Autumn Stewart 2B RBI 2-R, Emily Staab 1B RBI 3-R, Alex Stewart 3-1B RBI 3-R, Lily Staab RBI, Addy Williams HR 4-1B 5-RBI 2-R, Ashley Huffman 3-1B 2-RBI 2-R

Friday: Moniteau at Clarion-Limestone

Monday: DuBois Central at Karns City