CHICORA - In a game of cat and mouse, the Moniteau High softball team executed both roles well enough for a win.

The Warriors faced a 5-0 deficit to Karns City before scoring seven runs in the top of the fourth inning and staving off a late Gremlins comeback in a 10-8 decision Friday.

"It always seems to be one inning that hurts us," said Karns City coach Mike Simpson. "That was the case in our losses against Brookville and Kittanning, and it happened again today."

The top of the fourth inning saw 10 Moniteau batters come to the plate against Karns City starting pitcher Roslyn Ferraro.

By the time Kelley McMillen came to bat, the Warriors had cut the Gremlins' lead to 5-3.

The senior center fielder drilled a double to left, scoring Megan Campbell and Jenna Beatty and tying the game in the process.

Sara Vinca followed with an inside-the-park home run, scoring that plated McMillen for a 7-5 lead.

"I think we struggled offensively in the first few innings because (Ferraro) was throwing a bit slower than what we're used to," said Moniteau coach Danny Hindman. "It took the girls a while to adjust."

The Warriors (4-1) added two more runs in the top of the sixth and one in the seventh.

The Gremlins (1-3) received a two-run triple from Marissa Evankovich and a run-scoring single from Shannon Christie in their half of the sixth inning, but they were unable to pull even.

Vinca picked up the win, striking out eight and walking four while surrendering three runs on five hits in 5

innings pitched.

The work came in relief of Moniteau's sophomore starter Martina Burk, who was chased from the game with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning.

Vinca's relief outing began ominously for the Warriors as her first two pitches were ruled illegal by the infield umpire, allowing Allyson Kepple and Evankovich to score, making it 5-0.

Vinca regrouped and held Karns City scoreless over the next three innings.

"To go out there and give up two quick runs on those (illegal pitches) and to turn around and battle through it like she did, it showed what kind of character she has," said Hindman.

Christie ended the day with three singles and two RBI for Karns City while teammate Evankovich added a double, triple, three runs scored and three RBI.

"Moniteau began the game by playing us pretty shallow in the outfield, but we had them backing up real quick," Simpson said.

"We played right with (Moniteau)," he added. "I knew we could."

Ferraro pitched the whole game in defeat, striking out four and walking five.

Moniteau 000 702 1 -10 10 3

Karns City 230 003 0 - 8 8 1

WP:

Sara Vinca (5

IP) 8 strikeouts, 4 walks.

LP:

Roslyn Ferraro (7 IP) 4 strikeouts, 5 walks

Moniteau (4-1):

Kelley McMillen 1B 2-2B R 3RBI, Megan Campbell 1B 2B R RBI, Sara Vinca HR R 3RBI, Natalie DeMatteis 1B R, Laura Kirschner 1B RBI, Jenna Beatty 2R, Laken Burk 1B 2R SB, Brandy Neff 1B RBI R, Martina Burk R

Karns City (1-3):

Allyson Kepple 2-1B 2R RBI, Shannon Christie 3-1B 2RBI SB, Marissa Evankovich 2B 3B 3R 3RBI, Jessica Spafford 2R, Roslyn Ferraro 1B, Samantha Pyle R SB, Haley Callihan SB

Saturday:

Oil City @ Moniteau

Tuesday:

Karns City @ Keystone