By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorA memorable regular season for the Warrenton Senior Legion baseball program has plenty of excitement in store as postseason play has arrived.Post 122 entered the Ninth District tournament Wednesday with its highest seeding since 2006 as the No. 2 seed.While its run in the district tournament came to an early end with a 1-2 record in the double-elimination tournament, one major goal has already been secured.Due to a 13-3 regular season, which made for a second-place finish and the program’s highest winning percentage ever, Warrenton has a Zone I Tournament berth already locked up.Three teams from the Ninth District will advance to zone, which includes the district tournament champion, regular-season champion and the next best team, according to regular season standings.Since Washington won the regular season and will host the five-team event (July 23-26), an automatic spot was opened for Post 122.“For our program to lock a berth in the Zone Tournament is a great thing,” first-year Warrenton Senior Legion Head Coach Scott Butler said. “It’s a huge and great stepping stone for this program and a building block for the future.”Warrenton won 12 of its final 13 regular-season contests to overtake St. Charles, which will now have to fight its way into the Zone Tournament.With a 144-51 run differential this season, Post 122 has entered the postseason with a justified confidence it can best anyone on the baseball diamond, even the perennial powerhouse in Post 218.Behind the arm of first-year Legion pitcher Ben Stephens (5-0, 1.08 ERA), Warrenton won both of its starts against Washington. Post 122 accounted for two of Post 218’s three losses so far this season and has outscored them 9-3.Stephens only allowed one earned run in 17 innings against a potent lineup, which struck out 20 times against him. The hard-throwing right-hander had 76 strikeouts in 50 innings, which were compiled through 10 appearances.“Washington has forever been the beast of the district,” Butler said. “If you told me before the season that we would beat them twice, I wouldn’t believe you.”The two teams could meet up several more times this postseason, with the first possible encounter being this Friday at Washington’s Ronsick Field in the district semifinals.After losing two of three to open the season, Warrenton surprised itself as it began to win at a pace unforeseen by many. After two straight previous seasons with one win, an eagerness and will to win has been displayed throughout the team.While the roster changed very little, Brandon Moeller has been a key returner and is expected to bring strong leadership in the postseason.In his third year playing for Warrenton, the shortstop/pitcher had a .424 batting average in the regular season and a 3-2 record with a 2.68 earned run average in five starts.“Brandon and Ben have been the leaders for our team this season,” Butler said. “There’s a lot of times whenever I want to make a coaching move or try to set up a defense, where I pull them to the side just to hear their thoughts. They are both very intelligent about the game and know what to do and when to do it.”This season seven members have hit over .300 for Warrenton, which averaged 8.4 runs per game. The pitching staff has also been essential, posting a 1.89 ERA with 158 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings.“Every guy on this team has worked hard to make themselves and the team a lot better,” Moeller said. “It’s all a testament to the hard work that we’ve put in. We didn’t sit around in the offseason. We play for each other this year and we like winning for each other.”Another returner who has enjoyed his best season yet for Post 122 is Troy Muse. The leadoff hitter has developed a patience in his approach that he didn’t have last season. Warrenton’s center fielder tied Donovan Mozee for the team lead in walks with 14 and slashed .373 at the plate with 22 runs scored.“It’s more about being patient and watching more pitches,” Muse said. “I’m not necessarily worried about getting hits anymore, but getting on base because I moved to the leadoff spot. It’s been fun to produce for our team in a memorable season that’s not over yet.”Muse has been appreciative and attributed success to his energetic head coach.“We have a good coach that is more supportive and that’s made a big difference,” Muse said. “You can tell (Scott) loves the game. He wants to win just as bad as we do. This year we practiced all the time and last year we maybe had one or two practices in the summer.”With a berth already locked in the Zone Tournament, the Post 122 Seniors are confident they can continue to build on its historic season and keep the wins rolling along.First, the changed program will try to bring home its first district tournament championship.“I told them from the start we could do something special and they are capitalizing,” Butler said. “They took those words to heart. Reeling off wins left and right just seems to be custom now. One win the past two years is what they are mostly accustomed to, but that’s in the past.“They put past records on the back burner and now they expect to win every time they step on the dirt.”

Taylor Duvel has served as an instrumental part of the Warrenton Senior Legion lineup. The starting third baseman looks to help Post 122 make a deep postseason run with a Zone Tournament locked up.

Patrick MacCoon photo.