By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorAfter starting out the season with a four-game losing streak, the Warrenton Post 122 Freshmen regrouped.Shaking off the rust, the program put together a respective 6-6 mark through the remainder of the regular season to help notch a playoff berth in the Ninth District Tournament.“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to try to make the playoffs,” Legion Freshman Head Coach Jamey Sherman said. “All three programs had that same goal. It was awesome to see our team make the playoffs, despite being one of the youngest teams in the district.”While Pacific and Washington eliminated Warrenton in the first round of the district tournament, there were plenty of positive vibes present at the end of the season. Especially when realizing that this was the first year of doing things a different way.“This season marked the first time that Post 122 actually put the commitment in with the new coaches we had in place to do an offseason program,” Sherman said. “We did a winter program, a conditioning program, a throwing program and they worked with a pitching instructor. Now the next step is adding a hitting instructor.”Sherman’s team put together a .271 team batting average while averaging 4.5 runs per game.Mitch Burnette and Eli Ecton both finished with over 20 hits and had hitting streaks of six and five, respectively during the season. Ecton led the team with seven extra-base hits, 17 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts.“They were two of our top hitters all year long,” he said. “They made great contact and hardly ever struck out. Every time they came up to bat you expected them to get on base and make an impact.”Braden Lawson, Chris Vogt and Kory Schniedermeyer combined for 71 strikeouts on the mound in 48 2/3 innings. However, walks plagued a young pitching staff for Post 122, which allowed 100 walks in 106 innings.“One of my favorite parts of the season has been working with pitching coach Patt Perry,” Freshman pitcher Camron Swaringen said. “It was fun for us to go and learn from a guy that used to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals.”In the Ninth District Freshman All-Star Game, six members of the Warrenton Freshman squad were selected and proved to play a major role in a 13-7 victory. The Vogt brothers, Burnette, Ecton, Lawson and Schniedermeyer combined for the most hits off any team represented and also drove in six runs while recording the final three outs.“Our guys really represented Post 122 well in the all-star game,” Sherman said. “They all helped impact the game and bring a win home on a fun day.”While the season is officially concluded, Sherman expects to see strong results this offseason as some progress to the Junior squad next year and many return.“This season was a lot of fun for being in it for the first time as a head coach,” Sherman said. “It’s fun to build something from the ground up. These kids just need to get stronger and faster. They have the right attitude to win, now they just need to put in the extra work to make it happen.”

Braden Lawson connects for a base hit in a Freshman Legion contest for Post 122 this summer. Lawson was a roster member on all three levels and was named as one of the six all stars for Jamey Sherman's Freshman squad.

Patrick MacCoon photo.