Derek Boben jumped up to celebrate an out before heading over to the dugout in the sixth inning.

For as well as Boben pitched, the Moniteau baseball team's defense behind him was just as good.

The Warriors had to be during their 4-0 win over Cranberry Wednesday night at Kelly Automotive Park.

Berries starting pitcher Dylan Cyphert struck out 14 batters and allowed only three hits. But Boben, who struck out six and pitched a complete game, matched him to help Moniteau move to 4-0.

“We're a young team, we bond a lot. We're real close,” Boben said. “We know that we have each other's backs. The pitchers know the fielders are going to make the plays and we are going to go out and try to get a win every day.”

In the sixth inning, Austin Rex and Cyphert both had one-out singles for the Berries (3-1). Boben followed by striking out Kyle Hanna. Warriors third baseman Jake McBride fielded a slow grounder and fired a throw that just beat Brendan Zerbe to get out of the inning.

Cranberry also had runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings, but Boben worked out of it both times.

“My fastball was working real well. I was spotting it where I wanted to,” Boben said. “My curveball was down in the dirt early. I stayed composed on the mound and threw what I needed to get a win.”

Boben only walked one batter and allowed six hits.

“We had to earn everything we got and they were solid behind him defensively,” Cranberry coach Pat Irwin said. “They limited everything to one base and didn't throw the ball around.”

Moniteau first baseman Kaleb Eshenbaugh said the Warriors place high importance on being able to make the right defensive plays.

“We work hard at practice taking infield, so fundamental plays come natural to us now,” Eshenbaugh said.

Cranberry struggled to back up Cyphert. Three errors by the Berries contributed to all four of Moniteau's runs.

In the third inning, Cody Skiver reached on an error by Jacob Creighton and moved to second on a passed ball.

One batter later, Josh McBride ended up on third after a throwing error by Zerbe that scored Skiver. Eshenbaugh followed with a single to put the Warriors ahead 2-0.

Moniteau added two more runs in the sixth off relief pitcher Ty Rex.

Colton Cumberland, who had two hits, led off with a single. Zack Jewart then reached on an error, moving Cumberland to third base.

Boben followed with a sacrifice fly to score Cumberland. Nathan Hoshak grounded out to second to score Jewart and put the Warriors ahead by four.

Moniteau coach Ross Martin declined comment after the game. Boben felt that the Warriors did a good job of capitalizing on Cranberry's miscues.

“We knew we were going to get our chances at the end of the game when he got pulled,” Boben said. “We took advantage of our opportunities.”

Moniteau is scheduled to return to action today, hosting A-C Valley.

Cranberry 000 000 0— 0 6 3 Moniteau 000 202 x — 4 3 1

W: Derek Boben 7IP (6K, 1BB). L: Dylan Cyphert 6IP (14K, 3BB).

Cranberry: Kyle Hanna 2B, Brendan Zerbe 1B, Ty Rex 1B, Dylan Cyphert 2 1B

Moniteau: Kaleb Eshenbaugh 1B, Colton Cumberland 2 1B

Thursday: A-C Valley at Moniteau