By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterThe continual progress within the Warrenton baseball program was evident this season, as the Warriors captured their first conference title in 15 years, winning the GAC with a 7-3 record.Warrenton finished 14-12 overall, reaching the district title game for the second time in three seasons.It was the third straight winning campaign for the Warriors, who have finished among the top two in the conference each year during that stretch.“This group really overcame a lot on and off the field,” said Coach Eric Burle. “Considering the fact they played short-handed a number of games, I’m pretty happy with how it ended up.”The Warriors built around the success of four-year varsity pitcher Ben Stephens. The senior was a stalwart on the mound, pitching 75 innings with a 0.93 earned run average. Stephens struck out 90 batters and walked just 18, while going 7-2 as a starter.“When you’ve got a kid like Ben on the mound, you’re in pretty good position to win,” said Burle.Stephens worked to improve his offensive output as well, finding himself in the lead-off position midway through the season. He finished second on the team with a .364 average, collecting 32 hits and scoring 23 runs.Burle says the Warriors’ offensive production was what kept them in many games, especially when Stephens wasn’t available to start.Senior Taylor Duvel also saw time on the mound, sporting a 2.63 ERA through 29 innings pitched. He struck out 11 batters and walked 10.Sophomore Dalton Owenby went 2-1 as a starter with 20 innings pitched, but beyond him, the Warriors were limited in pitching depth, despite looking to 11 different players to throw at least an inning.Brandon Purkaple was relied upon earlier in the season to pitch before suffering an elbow injury.With the bullpen often scarce, Warrenton relied on its consistency at the plate.“There were a number of games where he came from behind because of our bats,” said Burle.Junior Dallas Johnson carried a team-best .438 batting average, recording 32 hits, including five doubles.“Dallas started off pretty slow and was able to make some adjustments at the plate,” said Burle.Johnson scored 25 runs and was responsible for 19 RBIs.Hunter Capstick also packed punch at the plate, batting .352 with 31 hits and 28 RBIs. He was the team’s top extra-base hitter, collecting seven doubles, four triples and three home runs.“He was one of the better extra base guys in the conference,” said Burle. “He could give us whatever we needed at the plate.”Warrenton had six batters hit above the .300 mark.“From top to bottom, there were a number of guys that contributed,” said Burle.By season’s send, the Warriors were relying on several underclassmen for considerable varsity innings.Freshman Braden Lawson started behind the plate, while classmate Trent McGee was called upon to play multiple positions, both in the infield and outfield.“Going into the season, we didn’t know if some of these guys were going to be on varsity or junior varsity,” said Burle. “Guys like Trent got thrust into these roles and they adapted well.”Burle also admired the way his team battled through the absence of starters to split with St. Charles West early in the season and how the Warriors triumphed over No. 1 seed St. Dominic in the district semifinal.“Our regular season schedule really set us up well, I believe,” said Burle, whose team ended up playing four Final Four teams from various classes.

Warrenton's Trent McGee squares for a bunt during a game this spring. A freshman, McGee was called upon to play multiple positions in the infield and outfield.

Derrick Forsythe photo.