HAWTHORN, Clarion County - Moniteau pitcher Nathan Markle has had big strikeout games before, but nothing quite like this.

In Thursday's District 9 Class AA playoff game, Markle fanned 18 batters to highlight the Warriors' 8-1 victory over host Redbank Valley.

Among the other interesting tidbits about Markle's performance:

None of the first 15 Redbank hitters put the ball in play.

Markle struck out the side in the first three innings and had 12 through four innings, although a wild pitch on the third strike put one runner at first.

He fanned at least two batters in all but one inning, which included a double play.

He struck out the final five batters in the game.

His outfielders recorded only one putout.

"He was tough. He was a dominating pitcher," said Redbank Valley coach Mike Brown. "There's a reason he was an all-(KSAC) pitcher. I told the kids you got beat by a good pitcher today."

Markle's previous best in a seven-inning game was 15, although he did strike out 23 in a 10-inning game against Keystone earlier this season.

Despite issuing six walks in the game, Markle said he knew he was working on something special.

"Yeah, you can just tell," said Markle. "Their dugout was just quiet.

"I knew I had to step it up. I just tried to hit my target and not overpower people," he added.

The Warriors staked Markle to an early 2-0 lead when Garth Kohlmeyer and Markle slapped consecutive one-out singles.

Greg Keppel lined a grounder to Bulldogs first baseman Zach Wanniger, who made a diving save to knock it down. He scrambled to the ball, but threw wildly to first base.

The error allowed both runners to score.

Moniteau tacked on two more runs in the third as Travis Shaffer smacked a two-run homer to left field after Keppel reached base on an error with two outs.

In the fourth, the Bulldogs finally broke through when Brandon Johnston struck out, but was safe when he reached first on the third-strike wild pitch. Jason Smith struck out before Wanniger laced a run-scoring double down the left-field line.

Nick Johnston struck out and Mike Booher grounded out to end the threat.

Redbank Valley sent the tying runner to the plate in the sixth inning when Markle walked Brandon Johnston and Jason Smith with one out.

Up stepped Wanniger, but Markle struck him out and closed out the inning with a strikeout of Nick Johnston.

Trufley said Thursday's win was only the second over Redbank Valley in the past five years.

"They're never out of it," said Trufley. "We're kind of getting hot at the right time."

Moniteau then added four runs in the seventh inning - an RBI single by Shaffer and a three-run home run by Mike Benson - to put the game out of reach.

With the win, Moniteau will travel to Cranberry for a 4 p.m. semifinal game Tuesday.

"This win will get us pumped up for the next game," said Markle. "If this didn't, I don't know what will."

Notes: Markle improved his record to 9-0 this season. He now has 110 strikeouts on the season, breaking the single-season school record of 95, which was held by Heath Schreffler. … Craig Hibell struck out eight and walked three for the Bulldogs. Seven of his eight runs allowed in 6innings were unearned.

Moniteau 202 000 4 - 8 7 0Redbank 000 100 0 - 1 2 4WP: Nathan Markle (7 IP) 18 strikeouts, 6 walks.

LP: Craig Hibell (6 2/3 IP) 8 strikeouts, 3 walks

Moniteau: Garth Kohlmeyer 1B, 2B; Nathan Markle 1B; Travis Shaffer 1B, HR, 3 RBI; Mike Benson HR, 3 RBI; Josh Howland 1B

Redbank Valley (13-7): Zach Wanniger 2B, RBI; Jon Brothers 1B

Tuesday: Moniteau at Cranberry, 4 p.m.