STRATTANVILLE — Derek Boben was dejected as he handed Moniteau baseball coach Ross Martin the ball after a loss of command caused his early exit from the mound.

Boben, though, didn't sulk. He decided to help the Moniteau baseball team in other ways.

Boben doubled and tripled and drove in a run as Moniteau rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Girard, 5-3, Monday in the first round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs at Clarion-Limestone.

The senior right-hander was chased from the game in the top of the third inning when he walked two batters and hit another with the bases loaded.

It was the third straight start for Boben in which he endured an inning where he inexplicably lost control.

“I was obviously frustrated with myself after that third inning and how I was throwing and how I've been throwing lately,” Boben said. “I took out my frustration in the box.”

Boben wasted little time in redeeming himself with an RBI triple in the bottom of the third. He then scored on an RBI groundout by Lake Pry to tie the game at 3.

Pry came through again in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run single that scored Aaron Marterella, who singled, and Boben, who had doubled.

Marterella did the rest, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

“When Aaron came in, I knew he was going to throw strikes,” Boben said. “He's not overpowering, but he gets guys to roll over on the ball and hit weak fly balls.”

Marterella has been the go-to guy in a pinch for the Warriors in relief this season and he was called upon again.

He wiggled out of the bases-loaded jam in relief of Boben in the third and gave up just one hit in the next four innings.

“I know Derek expected a lot more out of himself, but we have guys that pick each other up,” Martin said. “It's a team atmosphere around here and an absolute blast to coach.”

It's the first state playoff win in the first state playoff appearance for the Moniteau baseball team.

“Man, it's fun to be playing baseball in June,” Martin said.

Moniteau left-fielder Jake Jewart made a diving catch of a fly ball into the gap by Vince Monico to lead off the top of the seventh inning.

Marterella then closed the door on Girard (16-7) and its season.

“That could be a huge momentum boost,” Martin said. “Top of the seventh, down by two, you start off at second base, it completely changes the complexion of the inning and the way you pitch. Glad we had (Jake) out there.”

Marterella struck out two, walked one and hit a batter in his relief outing.

He was happy to be a part of a history-making day.

“I wasn't expecting to be called on,” Marterella said. “We're doing stuff that no one in this school has ever done. To be the first team in this school to accomplish those feats is incredible and it means a lot.”

Moniteau (17-3) will play WPIAL champion Riverside (21-2), which hasn't given up a run in five postseason games, in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.

The time may be early afternoon because Thursday is also Moniteau's graduation day.

Boben doesn't see that as a distraction.

“I love baseball, so not walking at graduation wouldn't be a big disappointment to me if I can't make it,” Boben said. “Hopefully they'll make it earlier in the day and hopefully we'll get a win to make graduation that much better.”

Girard 003 000 0 — 3 4 0

Moniteau 102 020 x — 5 12 1

W: Aaron Marterella 4.1IP (2K, 1BB). L: Nate McKendrick 4.1IP (2K, 0BB).

Girard (16-7): Shane Boyles 1B, Brenden Kohan 1B, Ryan Lehman 1B, McKendrick 1B

Moniteau (17-3): Jake Jewart 2B, Aaron Marterella 2B 2-1B RBI, Zach Adamson 1B, Derek Boben 3B 2B RBI, Lake Pry 1B 3-RBI, Josh Adamson 1B, J.J. Waid 1B, Nick Sosigian 2B 1B

Thursday: Moniteau vs. Riverside in PIAA Class AA quarterfinals, site and time to be determined.