By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorWhile the Warrenton Post 122 Juniors struggled to produce runs for much of the season, averaging just 3.9 runs per game, Warrenton Head Coach Ken Dildine was happy with how his team finished.To conclude the summer campaign, his team put together 18 hits and scored 19 runs in wins over Pacific and Sullivan.With offseason hitting programs in place already and many participating in fall baseball, there is strong belief the success at the plate can occur throughout the season next year.“Hitting the baseball well goes back to putting in hard work and that’s what these kids are doing,” Dildine said. “We want to see them get aggressive at the plate and not look for walks. We struggled with aggressiveness at the plate this season, but if we can come up attacking they will be strong hitters.”Behind the arm of Devon Oden, the Juniors were able to add six wins to its total from the summer before.“While we let some games slip away and shouldn’t of even been in those situations, I really liked the boys’ inability to quit,” Dildine said. “They came back in a good number of games and won from behind. They were tough all the way through. We would have liked to have a winning record, but it was the step in the right direction for this team.”Oden was nearly perfect at the end as the right-hander threw back-to-back complete game victories to conclude Post 122’s summer.“He was phenomenal to watch in his last two starts,” Dildine said. “In winter lessons, we were told by (former Cardinals pitcher) Pat Perry he was going to be special for us. He’s going to make a name for himself. He is a tough pitcher to face. He throws hard and he can keep hitters guessing with his curve ball and changeup.”Oden closed to within one out away from a no-hitter against Pacific, but a sharp ground ball made it through the left side of the infield to spoil what would have been a rare feat.“He kept his calm and we didn’t even really tell him that day he had a no-hitter going,” he said. “This kid has a live arm and Perry even told us he could be throwing around 90 miles an hour or above by the time he ends his high school career because of how great his arm action is. It was a joy to watch.”Matthew Dildine finished with his most successful baseball campaign yet as he hit .389 with 28 hits and a team-leading seven doubles. He also was 17 for 21 in stolen bases.“The biggest thing for Matt was working hard through the past offseason and working with a hitting coach,” he said. “Just to see how far he came after an injury and to turn it around was great. He put up some great at-bats and made pitchers work.”Braden Lawson also impressed his head coach and many others with his natural defensive ability behind the plate as he made 57 putouts without an error.“I would say he is one of the best defensive players I’ve seen, him and (Senior Legion catcher) James Dotson,” he said. “They both have great blocking abilities and arms. You dream for kids like that. He has the drive and ability to be great.”While the doors have been closed to the season, many are already out working this offseason and preparing to play fall baseball tournaments in order to be even better for high school and Legion baseball next year.“Our goal is to make these kids better through camps and workouts and everything else we are doing,” he said. “They have already come a long way from where they were and it has been special to watch. They just have to keep a strong mental toughness and strive to get better. They’ve started the change.”

Chris Garrett strides towards home plate during a Senior Legion contest this summer. Garrett pitched for the Post 122 Juniors as well.

Bill Barrett photo.