The win keeps the Warriors tied atop the KSAC softball standings with Clarion.

“With as tight as (the KSAC) is,” said Moniteau coach Dan Hindman. “This win was huge for us.”

Moniteau plated the only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning when second baseman Alex Guerico slapped a two-out single through the middle of the Panthers’ infield, stole second, and grabbed third when Barrett was called for using an illegal pitch. Guerico scored when Ashley Pisor hit a ground ball to Keystone third baseman Allysa Marchand and Marchand’s throw to first baseman Kelly McQuistion was in the dirt allowing Guerico to score.

(We have) one error,” said Keystone coach John Stiglitz. “We eliminate that error; it is still a tie ballgame.”

The Keystone offense, on the other hand, only had one base runner through the first five innings when Brit Mohney drew a one-out walk in the first inning.

“We always have two rounds of batting practice the days before a game,” said coach Stiglitz. “But with our prom being Saturday and not being allowed to practice on Sunday, we had no batting practice since Thursday, and I think that is why we didn’t get the sticks going.”

The Warriors had an opportunity to extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth when with two outs, Sara Dittig and McCaslin hit back-to-back singles but Barrett settled down to strike out Amber Neff to close out the frame.

Barrett struck out 10 batters, allowed four hits, and issued no walks in six innings of work.

“I was really pleased with Jenny’s pitching today,” said Stiglitz. “She is getting stronger now. She is getting healthy.”

In the top of the sixth, the Panthers broke up McCaslin’s no-hit bit when Katie Kozad looped a two-out single into centerfield. However, Mohney grounded out to end the inning leaving Keystone down one run.

 The Panthers best scoring opportunity came in the top of the seventh when Cassy Hinderliter led-off the inning with an infield single. Hinderliter advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by McQuistion.  Keystone’s next batter, Amanda Rodgers, bunted and the Warriors catcher Amber Neff fired a strike to third baseman Pisor who tagged out Hinderliter.

Keystone loaded the bases when Heidi Baugman singled and Lacey Matthews reached first on an error, but the Panthers couldn’t get a run across as Allysa Marchand struck out to end the game.

McCaslin struck out ten Keystone batters, issued one walk, and gave up three hits to pick up the complete game shut-out.

“Lately, (McCaslin) has been doing real well at spotting her ball, changing speeds and controlling the batter,” said Hindman. “We’ve been working on getting ahead of the batter, and she does pretty good. She struggled there in the first inning, she started getting behind, but lately she has been in that zone.”

The loss drops the Panthers to 5-4 in the KSAC while Moniteau has only one loss in conference play. The Warriors only loss of the season came against Clarion on April 17 when they lost 14-6 to the Bobcats at home.

“I knew going in that (Keystone) was going to bring a nice team to the field, and I knew it was going to be a good challenge for us,” said Hindman. “You catch a break and that’s the difference in the game sometimes.”

“I think we are playing good ball right now,” said Stiglitz.