By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorDespite winning nine games this summer, the Warrenton Junior Legion baseball team missed out on the district playoffs by one game.Post 122’s 3-0 shutout over Sullivan and a forfeit ended the season on a strong note for Ken Dildine’s team on Monday night.With strong pitching and improved bats at the plate, Warrenton won four of its last five games to finish 9-15 overall in District 9.“These guys wanted to make the playoffs because they knew we had a much better team this summer than last,” Post 122 Junior Legion Head Coach Ken Dildine said. “We had times this year where we played great baseball and other times where they just lacked mental focus.”After nearly throwing a no-hitter four days earlier, Devon Oden ended the season on the mound with a shutout performance.In nine starts this summer he had three wins and nearly 50 strikeouts to lead his team.Leadoff hitter Matt Dildine had a strong summer campaign as he led the Post 122 Juniors with a .390 batting average and led the team in stolen bases.“It was a success to win double-digit games and we just have to build on that,” Dildine said.Warrenton 12, Pacific 3For the second time in one week, a Post 122 pitcher nearly came away with a no-hitter.Devon Oden was two outs away from accomplishing the feat for a pitcher, but had a single roll through the left side of the infield to surrender his first hit in the seventh inning.He still came out victorious in Thursday’s triumph over Pacific.“He wasn’t too mad about losing the no-hitter,” Junior Legion Head Coach Ken Dildine said. “We didn’t tell him that he had one going, but you could tell he wanted to finish it. He’s a humble kid and he didn’t let it bother him much.”Oden struck out 10 batters in his 104-pitch outing. All three runs allowed were not charged to him due to a pair of errors.Warrenton’s top pitcher also led his lineup with three hits and tied with Eli Ecton for a game-high two RBIs.Matthew Dildine went 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot with three runs scored.Kory Schneidermeyer and James Schnyder each had two hits as well.Senior Legion

Chris Garrett ended his summer campaign with the Post 122 Junior Legion with a 2.94 ERA on the mound and had one save. He will continue to play this summer with the Senior Legion baseball team.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.