Despite a late rally that fell just short of a dramatic comeback, the Warrenton Warriors softball team saw its season come to an end last week in a 3-2 loss to Incarnate Word Academy. Senior Kathryn McChristy pitched into the sixth inning in her final varsity game, finishing the season with a record of 9-8 while the Warriors finished the year at 18-11.

Warrenton coach Chad Berrey told The Record that he believed his team was going to pull out a win until the very end. “We had a rally going. I believe the team, fans, and coaches believed we were about to walk it off,” he said. “We just couldn't push through the tying run.”

Berrey believes he had the Warriors well-prepared for the game, but the team just ran into an outstanding pitcher in freshman Sophia Otten and couldn’t get any momentum until it was too late.

“I think going into the game we were well prepared. We did everything we could to keep the girls mentally prepared for the game,” said Berrey. “We had time to get ready to go after getting to the game early. I believe we were the better team, but Otten no-hit us until the seventh. She pitched a great game.”

The Warriors did make things interesting in the seventh, though. The inning started when Kierston Andersen was hit by a pitch, and following a groundout Kylie Witthaus drew a walk. A double by Rayli Duncan that was followed with a groundout that drove in Witthaus tightened things up, with the Warriors down just 3-2 in the game’s final frame before Otten retired Kaylen Reynolds to end the threat.

After the game, Berrey talked about McChristy’s performance as well as the importance of having another outstanding pitcher in Witthaus, who relieved McChristy in the sixth inning against Incarnate.

“Kathryn retired the first nine batters before a walk,” said Berrey. “To make it to that level you have to have pitching. It’s such a vital position in softball. You can do well with one great pitcher. To have two is a blessing. All three performances (including Otten) were remarkable.”

Overall, Berrey said that the Warriors’ season was a success. “Absolutely,” he said. “The end of the year speech is the worst, but I led off making sure the girls know that you do not let this result affect the rest of the amazing season that we had.”

After a 0-4 start to the season in the Troy Tournament, where the Warriors finished 16th out of 16 teams, things came together.

“They battled back, came together as a team, and built a family culture and we rattled off some big wins,” said Berrey. “In this last game, the fight we showed was a good representation of our season. Losing that game should not overshadow the success this team had and several of the girls said after the game that they didn’t have positive hopes early on, but in the end said this was the best team they had been a part of. Culture is everything, and our parents, players, and coaches showed unity. When that happens, it’s easy to feel good about yourselves. You feel good and you play good.”