Taylor Huff brings big bat as Karns City softball downs Moniteau

April 09, 2026 Last Updated: April 09, 2026 11:21 PM Sports

Karns City batter Nicole Huff (9) rounds third after hitting a homerun in a softball game Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Slippery Rock University's Kasnevich Field. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Karns City softball coach Mike Grazioli learned his lesson — don’t give the bunt sign to Nicole Huff.

Not after the third inning of Thursday’s game against Moniteau when Huff, a junior shortstop, fouled off two pitches while attempting to bunt, then deposited a Lexi McGhee pitch over the left-center field fence for a three-run homer that tied the game at 3-3.

Three innings later, the Gremlins were trailing 5-4 when Huff came to the plate with two runners on.

“I wasn’t going to tell her to bunt again,” Grazioli said, laughing.

Allowed to swing away, Huff hit her second home run of the game, the decisive moment in a 7-5 victory at Slippery Rock University’s Kasnevich Field.

Huff now has three home runs on the year.

Karns City pitcher Addison Burrows (2) pitches the ball in a softball game Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Slippery Rock University's Kasnevich Field. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

“This is the first season that I’ve really showed some power,” she said. “It’s a great environment on the team and the other players have showed me a lot of support. That’s helped a lot.”

Playing year-round and Huff’s strong work ethic has contributed as well, according to Grazioli.

“She’s very coachable and intelligent,” he said.

McGhee, who pitched the entire game for Moniteau with seven strikeouts and four walks, gave the Warriors hope in the top of the seventh when she smacked a double with one out. But KC’s Addison Burrows slammed the door to earn the pitching win. She worked four innings, striking out four and walking one.

It was just the third game of the year and first outside of an early season trip to South Carolina for the Warriors (0-3).

Moniteau shortstop Alyssa Thompson (25) throws the ball in a softball game Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Slippery Rock University's Kasnevich Field. Eddie Clancy/Butler Eagle

Eddie Clancy

“I thought we played well, hit the ball well. Karns City (6-1) is a great team and I think we’re right there with them,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman, who said he did not entertain the thought of intentionally walking Huff in the sixth inning with first base open.

“We wanted to keep the ball on the outside, which would take some of her power away,” he said.

Huff said the pitch she hit was inside and belt-high.

The Warriors struck first, plating three runs in the first two innings off KC starter Abigail Dunlap.

Danilynn Wallace broke the ice with a two-run single in the first.

Trailing 4-3 in the top of the fifth, Moniteau moved back in front thanks to an RBI-single from Taylor Grace and a run-scoring groundout from Emma Fitzingo.

Dunlap worked the first three frames in the circle.

“She has great velocity and a variety of pitches,” said Grazioli. “Between her and Addison, we feel we have 1A and 1B.

“We always expect a tough game when we play Moniteau and we got one tonight.”

Moniteau 210 020 0 — 5 9 0

Karns City 003 103 x — 7 9 1

WP: Addison Burrows 4IP (4K, 1BB); LP: Lexi McGhee 6IP (7K, 4BB).

Moniteau: Halle Beatty 3-1B R RBI, Lily Staab 1B R, Danilynn Wallace 2-1B R 2RBI, Lexi McGhee 2B, Taylor Grace 2-1B R RBI

Karns City: Nicole Huff 2HR 6RBIs, Aubrey Taylor 2-1B, Ronni Radaker 2-1B R, Addison Fox 1B 2B R RBI, Carley Conto 1B R

Saturday: Keystone at Karns City

Tuesday: Moniteau at Brookville