Kannon Hibbs and the Warrenton Warriors are off to a strong start this season. As a team, Warrenton has already matched their win total from last season. 

A junior, Hibbs is in his second full season as a member of the Warrenton baseball team. Hibbs’ freshman year season was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

Hibbs is the starting third baseman for the Warriors. He has primarily hit third in the lineup this season. He leads the team in hitting with a .525 average. He also leads the team with a .850 slugging percentage. He leads the team with two home runs and is tied for the team lead with seven doubles. 

Hibbs finished his sophomore season with a .432 average. He led the Warriors in doubles and triples and finished second on the team in RBIs. 

How long have you been playing baseball? 

Since I was about three years old. 

Is third base the position you’ve played mostly? 

Third and up the middle. 

What’s the experience been like adjusting to high school level? 

Last year, Hunter Sherman helped me out a lot teaching me the pace of the game. And this year you kind of just got to teach everybody else. We’re so young but we still have people that know the game.

What’s been the key to the team’s success so far? 

Pitchers throwing strikes. Ben’s (Peth) been throwing strikes. Bailey’s (Meyer) been throwing strikes. Austin (Haas) our freshman catcher’s been doing really good behind the plate and throwing runners out. 

How important was it to beat Wright City after losing the first game? 

That was big. Caleb (Clark) started it off and he hit a home run. Bailey (Meyer) just pounded the strike zone. We made defensive plays the whole game. Threw them out on the basepath. We just kept scoring. When they had a big inning, we just came back the next inning and shut them down. 

What are you looking forward to the rest of the season? 

Just compete every game. We want to win conference again. Just see how far we can make it in districts.

Has your approach to the plate evolved? 

Last year, I had Hunter (Sherman) in front of me so he was just getting pitched really hard and then I’d just kind of get a lot of fastballs. But now I’m starting to get a lot of off speed pitches. Everybody looks at the stats. So it’s been an adjustment. 

Is it hard to be patient at the plate? 

I got my dad in my ear at first. He’s like be patient or whatever because they’re going to pitch around you some. It’s tough because you just want to help. And they just don’t pitch to you. 

What does your offseason look like? 

I play in the summer and fall with the Select Team St. Louis Pirates. And then I get the winter off. 

Favorite subject in school? 

P.E. and Math

How have you liked your baseball experience so far? 

It’s been fun. Especially this year. Winning. Winning’s fun.