CHERRY TWP — Kennedy DeMatteis wasn't mad. The Moniteau freshman pitcher was more curious than anything.

Warriors softball coach Dan Beebe showed the team an article in the Clearfield Progress where Curwensville coach Allen Leigey said they wanted to play Moniteau.

That left DeMatteis wondering why the Tide wanted to give Moniteau extra motivation before their District 9 semifinal playoff game Thursday at Moniteau High School.

“I don't know what it said, it was something about wanting Moniteau,” DeMatteis said. “It boosted us a bit. ...I was really wondering why you'd put that in there?”

DeMatteis had a career-day, striking out 15 and singling twice to help Moniteau beat the fifth-seeded Tide 4-0.

Moniteau (19-0) will try to win its first district crown since 2011 when it meets Karns City next Wednesday at a site and time to be determined. The Gremlins advanced with a 9-7 win over Cranberry Wednesday.

Curwensville (10-11) beat the Warriors 12-0 in the semifinals last year. Once Beebe saw Leigey said he wanted to play Moniteau, it caught his attention.

Both teams felt disrespected. Leigey believed no one gave Curwensville a chance to win.

Beebe thinks people underestimate the Warriors, who start six freshmen.

“We played most of the season with a chip on our shoulder and most people didn't think we could pull off some of the things we're doing,” Beebe said. “To hear someone said he wanted us, that got our attention.”

DeMatteis had an inspired performance, limiting the Tide to three hits. Leigey wanted to keep the game close and put pressure on Moniteau.

“We were planning to come and try to press them. What I heard is they haven't been pressed too much all year,” Leigey said. “I wanted to try to be equal with them by the fourth or one up if I could be to see how they handled it.”

Tide pitcher Tierra Shope did a good job of limiting Moniteau's red-hot offense. The Warriors, who are batting over .500 as a team, had seven hits.

“She got me the first time I was batting,” said Moniteau senior Kayla Campbell, who singled twice. “We adjusted to it.”

The Warriors manufactured runs with hustle. Ahead 1-0 in the third, Moniteau's Alyssa Dailey hit a fly ball into shallow left field.

She charged around first and beat the throw for a double. Dailey followed by stealing third and scored on a Gabby Stewart groundout to put the Warriors ahead 2-0.

Moniteau added two runs in the sixth when Cortney Claypoole and Kristina DeMatteis scored on a wild pitch.

Kristina DeMatteis also picked up an RBI in the first inning. Scoring early provided Kennedy DeMatteis with some relief.

“There wasn't much pressure anyway,” Kennedy DeMatteis said. “It took more of it off, I guess.”

Curwensville's best chance to score came in the fifth. Bethany Carns hit a one-out double to right field and Melanie Milliron followed by reaching on an error.

Kristina DeMatteis threw out Carns on a double steal attempt to squash the momentum. Kennedy DeMatteis struck out Abby Dugo to end the inning.

Beebe's hoping Moniteau's offense will hit better against Karns City. The Warriors beat the Gremlins 17-7 earlier this season.

Having playoff experience should help.

“We are starting six freshman, so there were some nerves there, ” Beebe said. “Curwensville has a good pitcher that has won a lot of games. It was hard to find hits against her today.”

Curwensville 000 000 0 — 0 3 2

Moniteau 101 020 x — 4 7 1

W: Kennedy DeMatteis 7IP (15K, 1BB). L: Tierra Shope 7IP (K, BB).

Curwensville (10-11): Bethany Carns 2B, Kealy Wassil 1B, Rylee Young 1B

Moniteau (19-0): Kristina DeMatteis 1B RBI, Alyssa Dailey 2B, Kayla Campbell 2 1B, Kennedy DeMatteis 2 1B, Taylor Hasychak 1B, Gabby Stewart RBI

Wednesday: Moniteau vs. Karns City site and date to be determined.