CHERRY TWP — The Moniteau softball team entered Tuesday's game rolling toward the playoffs with a 9-1 record.

Clarion proved there is plenty of room for improvement.

The Bobcats plated eight runs in the top of the fourth and cruised to an 11-0 victory over the Warriors on Tuesday afternoon at Moniteau High School.

Leading 3-0 with runners on first and second with no outs in the fourth, Clarion's Johnna Rapp laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of home plate. Two errors on the play allowed both runners to score and Rapp ended up standing at second.

The Moniteau (9-2) miscues opened the floodgates.

The Bobcats pushed six more runs across before the frame ended, capped by a two-run homer to center field from Lexi Reed.

“They're a good hitting team and we knew that coming in,” said Moniteau coach Dan Beebe. “They're the real deal. They have the hitting, the pitching and the defense. We just didn't execute today.

“We're getting into the meat of our schedule, so this is a good wake-up call to let us know what we'll be seeing in the future.”

Clarion pitcher Matti Thornton tossed a one-hitter with six strikeouts, one walk and one hit batsmen.

“She was hitting her spots pretty well,” said Clarion coach Dan Shofestall. “The thing about Matti, she lets her defense play behind her. That's a big thing. She moves the ball around and gets some weak ground balls and some pop-ups and that really helps us.”

Moniteau's lone base knock came from Emily Hiwiller, who beat out an infield hit after a hard line drive deflected off the second baseman's glove.

Clarion initially took control in the first inning when Lauren Wiser delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to left field, scoring Maci Thornton and Ashley Hummell.

Hummell was a thorn in Moniteau's side throughout the game. She doubled to lead off the third inning and scored on a grounder to second from Wiser, before lacing another two-bagger in the fourth to drive in a pair.

Wiser finished with four RBI, while Reed was 3-for-3.

Of Clarion's eight runs in the fourth, only four were earned. Moniteau sophomore pitcher Taylor Hasychak pitched all five innings, struck out four, walked three and allowed seven earned runs.

“Their pitcher did a nice job of moving it around and keeping us off-stride for a while,” said Shofestall of Hasychak. “She's a nice pitcher.”

Beebe understands his Warriors will have to make strides, but enjoyed seeing his girls encourage each other during a demoralizing fourth frame.

“We're a close team on the field and off the field. No one really points the fingers,” the Moniteau coach explained. “When someone fails, we all fail. When somebody has a good game, we're all successful.

“We'll bounce back from this,” he added. “There's no need for panic right now. We'll just learn from it and go play Cranberry on Thursday.”

Clarion 201 80x x — 11 11 0

Moniteau 000 00x x — 0 1 4

W: Matti Thornton 5IP (6K, 1BB). L: Taylor Hasychak 5IP (4K, 3BB).

Clarion (5-0): Audrey Hummell 2B, 1B, R; Maci Thornton 1B, 2-R; Ashley Hummell 2-2B, 1B, 3-R, 2-RBI; Jessica Funk RBI; Lauren Wiser 1B, 4-RBI; Anna Reed R; Caitlyn Hill R; Johnna Rapp 1B, R

Moniteau (9-2): Emily Hiwiller 1B

Thursday: Moniteau at Cranberry