STRATTANVILLE — Things started out poorly for both teams.

The Langley softball team lost its starting pitcher during pre-game warmups. Moniteau was sluggish after winning the District 9 Class AA title two days earlier.

Ultimately, though, the Warriors broke out of their doldrums and rolled to a 12-1, five-inning win over Langley in the play-in round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs at Clarion-Limestone Thursday afternoon.

“I think we put so much time, thought and effort into Tuesday’s game (a 16-6 win over Cranberry) that we had a little bit of a hangover,” said Moniteau coach Dan Beebe. “(Wednesday’s) practice was very, very off compared to what we are used to.”

Once Moniteau (17-1) rebounded, Langley was nothing more than a speed bump on the way to a pair of milestones.

It was the first state playoff victory in the history of the softball program at Moniteau. The 17 wins also is the most in a season for the Warriors.

“I didn’t think we could do anything like this before the season,” said sophomore shortstop Chloe Eshenbaugh. “We only had a few seniors and no one knew what to expect. But we’ve just rallied around each other and we did it. And we want to keep going.”

It was by no means easy, though, especially in the first few innings against Langley.

The Mustangs (9-8) led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning with Kayla Johns in the circle instead of Korie Krull.

Krull aggravated a previous arm injury before the game, said Langley coach Bessy Miller.

Moniteau, though, opened up a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Kaitlyn Patton led off the frame with a triple and scored on a groundout by Mackenzie Maples. Eshenbaugh also had an RBI single in the inning.

The Warriors added six more runs in the bottom of the third inning to blow the game open. The big blow was a three-run, inside-the-park homer by Eshenbaugh.

Krull warmed up again during the big Moniteau inning and came into the game to pitch the fourth, but clearly was not 100 percent. She gave up three runs and walked three in her one inning of work.

Moniteau flexed its muscles at the plate with three triples, a double and a home run.

Langley managed just four singles against Moniteau pitcher Holly Colosimo.

Moniteau will play WPIAL champion Burrell (17-1) Monday at a site and time to be determined.

Beebe said his team will be ready for that challenge, as it has been ready for any challenge this season.

“Everyone says the No. 1 team out of the WPIAL is usually the one in all sports representing the west in the state championship,” Beebe said. “To make it to the end, we would have probably had to see the one-seed out of the WPIAL anyway. Better sooner than later. It’ll be a good challenge for us.”

Langley 010 00x x — 1 4 2Moniteau 036 3xx x — 12 8 1W: Holly Colosimo 5 IP (4 K, 3 BB).

L: Kayla Johns 3 IP (1 K, 5 BB).

Langley (9-8): Courtney Killmeyer 1B RBI

Moniteau (17-1): Chloe Eshenbaugh 1B HR 4-RBI, Autumn Neff 1B 3B, Brittney Fallen 2B RBI, Emily Hiwiller 3B RBI, Kaitlyn Patton 3B

Monday: Moniteau vs. Burrell, site and time TBD