CHERRY TWP — Why waste time?

Moniteau’s first four batters hit safely in the first inning, its first five hit safely in the second, leading to seven runs and setting the tone for a 10-0, five-inning District 9 2A softball playoff win over Brookville on Monday.

The Warriors (12-9) used some stellar defense to keep the Raiders (7-11) off the scoreboard. Mariska Shunk leaned against the fence to catch a fly ball to center field in the fourth. With the bases loaded and one out in the same inning, right fielder Ashley Huffman caught a fly ball and threw a perfect strike to catcher Addy Williams, who tagged out Kerstyn Davie at the plate.

“We played well today,” Moniteau coach Bob Rottman said. “We hit the ball, made the plays defensively and Emma (Covert) pitched a solid game.”

Covert allowed only four hits and struck out three. She helped her own cause defensively by making an over-the shoulder bare-handed catch of a short pop-up with one out and a runner on second base in the fifth.

The double — hit by Cadence Suhan — hit the left field foul pole on a fly, about a foot short of being a home run.

Brookville stranded six runners in scoring position on the day besides having the runner cut down at the plate.

“Some days things just don’t go your way,” Brookville coach Carl McManigle said. “But that takes nothing away from the game they (Moniteau) played today.

“Their pitcher threw a nice off-speed pitch and had us off our game. We don’t see a lot of off-speed stuff like that during the season. She did a nice job with it.”

Moniteau’s bats didn’t do a bad job, either.

The Warriors’ first three hitters in the batting order — Brianna Rottman, Lily Staab and Covert — were a combined 9-for-10 at the plate with seven RBI and five runs scored.

“That’s exactly how you want it to be when you set your lineup,” Coach Rottman said. “Those girls got things started.”

Brianna opened the bottom of the first inning with a single to left. Lily Staab, a freshman, followed with a home run to left, her fifth of the season. Covert singled and Autumn Stewart doubled, Covert scoring on a Mariska Shunk infield grounder.

“Seeing a freshman hit a home run in her first playoff game ... first at-bat .. was cool to see,” Brianna said. “We just took off from there.”

Covert’s two-run single highlighted Moniteau’s four-run second inning.

Brianna Rottman had four singles in as many at-bats, collecting three RBI. Covert was 3-for-3 at the plate in addition to pitching the shutout.

The Warriors have hit 21 home runs this year after hitting five all of last season.

Trailing 8-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, Brookville did not retire a batter. Alex Stewart reached on an infield single, Emily Staab on an infield error. Huffman doubled to left to bring in one run and Rottman’s single to center plated the game-ending tally.

“We have more confidence and we’re patient at the plate,” Brianna said. “I think we have a good team and can go as deep in the playoffs as we allow ourselves to go.”

Brookville won only two games last season before improving to seven this year. The Raiders have only one senior on their roster.

“For a while this season, we had three freshmen in the outfield,” McManigle said. “We’ve already set a goal to win a playoff game next year. We’re a young team and we’ll be back.”

Brookville 000 00 — 0 4 1

Moniteau 341 02 — 10 15 2

WP: Emma Covert 5IP (3so, 2bb). LP: Alyssa Tollini 4IP (1so, 0bb).

Brookville (7-11): Cadence Suhan 2B, Kerstyn Davie 1B, Aubre Eble 1B, Elizabeth Delaney 1B.

Moniteau (12-9): Brianna Rottman 4-1B 3-RBI 2-R, Lily Staab HR 1B 2-RBI 2-R, Emma Covert 3-1B 2-RBI, Autumn Stewart 2B, Mariska Shunk RBI, Alex Stewart 1B, Emily Staab 1B 2B 3-R, Ashley Huffman 1B 2B RBI.

Wednesday: Moniteau vs. Keystone-Cranberry winner, site and time TBA