Coming off a season in which it hammered out 10 home runs and 54 doubles, the Warrenton softball team will look to generate its offense in different ways this fall.

The program, which has produced seven GAC North Conference championships and four district titles in the past 10 years, finished 17-6 last season.

“We’re going to be shifting more to a small ball type of concept and hopefully manufacture runs in a different type of way,” said Coach Chad Berrey.

The roster numbers are down from 22 to about 16 from 2020, but Berrey is hopeful to continue the success established over the past decade.

“Historically we have developed a very successful program,” said Berrey. “We’re not rebuilding but trying to reshape our program. We’re not just merely relying on the long ball. We’re not the same team as last year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be successful.”

The Warriors return six varsity players, including an All-State pitcher in senior Kathryn McChristy. Last season the Western Illinois University commit went 14-5 as a starter, recording a 1.37 ERA through 112.3 innings pitched.

“After her sophomore year of high school she’d already broken the career strikeout record,” said Berrey. “Right now she’s just building on that and is in the 700s. She’s at the top of the leaderboard for pitchers.”

McChristy also contributed at the plate, batting .369 with 24 hits and 18 RBI.

The Warriors also welcome back third year varsity contributor Kaylin Haas, who will be starting at first base and contributing on the mound during her senior year.
“She hit in the heart of our lineup last year,” said Berrey. “She put up some pretty impressive numbers early last season before running into some injuries. She was potentially en route to being all-state until then.”

Haas batted .348 with 23 hits, including five doubles, while driving in 16 runs.

Kiersten Anderson returns for her senior season, after splitting between the infield and outfield last year.

“I’ll look for her to fill more of an outfield role,” said Berrey. “For the past two years we’ve had the best outfield in the GAC North, and it’ll circle around her as she takes on a leadership role.”

Additional contributors for the Warriors will be junior Mack Hurst, who hit .395 with 15 hits and 12 RBI.

“She has incredible hands at third base,” said Berrey. “You’re not going to find a girl who handles the hot corner better than that. She brings a lot at defense and strikes the ball really well at the plate.”

When not at third base, Hurst will play shortstop. She will hit at the top of the lineup.

Sophomore Kylie Witthaus will also see time on the mound, after going 3-1 as a starter last year through 17 innings pitched.

“This year we’re stacked with pitching,” said Berrey. “We are going to hold on to Kathryn as long as we can. She’s been a great mentor to Witthaus, as she’s been coming up through the ranks.”

Sophomore Kaylen Reynolds will be starting at shortstop.

The Warriors welcome several newcomers, including sophomore catcher Maddisyn Hoelscher.

Freshman Kiera Daniel has impressed coaches early on and will be securing a second base spot.

Also new to the team are two corner outfielders in sophomores Rose Renshaw and Rayli Duncan.

“I’m pretty excited for those four newcomers as they rise to the challenge,” said Berrey.

When it comes to courtesy running, the Warriors will look to sophomore Grace Steinhoff.

“She’s the fastest girl in our program and has accepted the role as a runner, which is a very important job,” said Berrey.