By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorThe tides are turning within the Warrenton Post 122 Senior Legion baseball program and this week it will look to make a “splash” in the Zone 1 Tournament.Warrenton will appear in the five-team tournament for the first time in program history as it opens play Thursday against Jefferson City Post 5 at 8 p.m. in Washington at Ronsick Field.“There’s some extra fuel in our tanks for this game, but we are still taking it like it’s a normal game,” first-year Head Coach Scott Butler said. “The magnitude of the game is a bit different and making it this far is a big step for our program. However, we must stay focused and concentrate on putting our best performance first.”Post 122 (14-5) will send Ben Stephens to the mound against the Eighth District Tournament champion as he looks to return to the winning mark.While coming out on the losing end in both of his appearances in the Ninth District Tournament, Stephens still managed to only allow three earned runs in 10 innings. He struck out 18 batters.Just six strikeouts away from reaching triple digits this summer through 60 innings, the hard-throwing right-hander will look to put Warrenton through to the winners’ bracket right away. He will look to do so on full rest.“The much needed rest is vital for us,” Butler said. “We had five days off while most of the teams played throughout last weekend. We’ve been able to rest our arms and legs and we can put our best foot forward to start things off right.”Stephens along with Washington’s Spencer Juergens and St. Charles’ Tristan Tredway look to be the featured aces of the tournament.In all seven starts this season, Stephens has struck out at least nine batters while going at least seven-plus innings in all but a five-inning victory over Pacific.“No matter who we are facing, we feel very confident with Ben on the mound” Butler said. “He’s that type of pitcher that can shut down an offense at any given time. He knows how to fight out of jams and he puts on a great show on the field. He shows emotion out on the field and that is good because the other players feed off of it.”After using wooden bats throughout the regular season and district tournament, which is only a rule for the Ninth District, Warrenton’s lineup will be able to use metal bats throughout the remainder of the postseason.Post 122 will enter as one of the most dangerous offenses with an average of 8.2 runs scored per game, which is second to Washington.Starting catcher James Dotson not only looks to play a pivotal role behind the plate in the double-elimination Zone Tournament, but also carries a strong presence in the batters box amidst a sizzling month of July.In 10 games this month, Dotson has had six multi-hit games and is batting .450 (18-for-40). In that span he has raised his average to .351 and driven in 13 of his 19 runs batted in.“I think our offense is loaded from top to bottom,” Butler said. “We will get to use metal bats and that’s going to make for much more solid contact. Our bats are now going to have a much bigger barrel and zone.”Donovan Mozee had a successful showing at the plate for Warrenton in the district tournament, which he finished with a three extra-base hit performance. With a shorter and more compact swing, the powerful cleanup hitter will look to create damage against opposing pitchers.Now with a metal bat, Mozee serves as one of the top power threats in the tournament with two home runs, five doubles and a triple in 63 at-bats this summer.“I was in a slump for a bit, but feel very confident with where my swing is at right now and my approach,” Mozee said. “I’m not trying to hit home runs, but trying to hit line drives. The ball will carry if I put the proper swing on it.”A key piece to the lineup for Post 122 will be added with the return of Tyler Brittain, who did not play in the previous tournament due to being away on summer vacation.Brittain succesfully stole 11-of-12 bases in 12 games played for a team that is 42-for-50 in stolen base attempts (.840).“Speed is obviously one of our biggest strengths,” Butler said. “We have several guys in our lineup that can change the outcome of a game on their speed alone. Troy (Muse), Ben (Stephens), Tyler (Brittain) are all nightmares to deal with on the basepaths.”For starting shortstop Brandon Moeller (.417 avg.) and several other teammates that have been a part of the Senior Legion for several years, the Zone Tournament looks to be one they will cherish.“Corey (Eckenfels), Airk (Rader) and Brandon have all been a part of our program for the past three seasons,” Butler said. “I’m glad this last season is going well for all of them and they definitely want to go out on top. They can go out on a high note instead of what they use to be accustomed to.”With a win on Thursday, Warrenton very well believes it could face Washington, a powerhouse it has defeated both times this season, in the Zone Semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m.“We are hoping to make a splash and get a “W” in this tournament,” he said. “I would be lying to say if we only got one I would be unhappy. It’s huge for us to be here, but I want to also come in here and win the whole thing. We have the pitching and hitting to do so.“We are glad that people are hearing about Warrenton Post 122 baseball now.”

The Warrenton Senior Legion baseball program begins play in the Zone 1 Tournament today with a 8 p.m. scheduled first pitch against Jefferson City at Ronsick Field in Washington. Ben Stephens will be handed the ball.

Bill Barrett