By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor With each victory throughout the season, the Warrenton softball team inched closer to its ultimate goal. On Saturday night, the mission was accomplished. The …
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Historic run ends with state title
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWith each victory throughout the season, the Warrenton softball team inched closer to its ultimate goal.On Saturday night, the mission was accomplished.The Warriors were the best Class 3 team in the state.“It’s so great to know we’re better than everyone else and we’re state champs,” senior catcher Abby Meyers said.All season long the team’s expectations were to hoist the state championship trophy. And Warrenton accomplished the task — the program’s first — with two dominating performances at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.The Warriors hammered Jeff City Helias 15-3 in the semifinals Friday and a crushed Cape Girardeau 12-2 in the championship game Saturday. Both contests ended early thanks to the 10-run mercy rule.“Our approach all year has been one pitch, one play, one game at a time,” Head Coach Trevor Hibbs said. “We wanted to stay relaxed and have fun. That was our main keys to the season.”He added, “I knew we had a good team, but now we know we have the best team.”Not only is the state title the first for the softball program, but it is the first state crown for any sports team at the school.The playoff run generated excitement throughout the community, a sight that had been unseen since the football team reached the state title game in 2009.In the week prior to the state tourney, the city of Warrenton issued a proclamation recognizing the squad for its accomplishments.During a community reception Sunday, Warrenton Activities Director Bobby Spoonster applauded the players on their season.“They are a true example of what a team looks like,” Warrenton Activities Director Bobby Spoonster said. “They truly love the person to their left or right. They would do anything for them.”He added, “They understood this state title was not just about them, but the community.”This year’s squad has set the bar high for the future.Warrenton completed the season with a program-best 28-2 record, with both of its losses decided by a run in extra innings. At one point during the season the Warriors had an 18-game winning streak and ended the year with nine consecutive wins.This year’s senior class has been part of 86 victories in the past four years and have won three consecutive district and conference titles.“They are everything to us,” junior Jenny Jansen said. “Next year it will not be close without them. We’re family and it’s like our family is braking apart. We’re sad to see them leave, but glad they got to go out on a good note.”
Warrenton softball players Amanda LaFaver, from left, Kaylee Anderson and Jenny Jansen wave to their supporters upon their return Sunday. The Warriors won the program’s first state title Saturday night.Derrick Forsythe photo.
