Until Monday, the Post 122 Junior Legion team had not proven its ability to successfully close out games.Coach Ken Dildine’s team has toyed with several opponents, even leading along the way, before eventually succumbing to a hitting drought or a slew of errors in the final two innings or so.It had become about as predictable as the rain that threatened yet another game at Warrenton’s Athletic Complex.“We have to be able to finish games, and if we can’t do that, it’s not going to do us any good going into districts,” said Dildine.But this time neither weather nor the opposition could prevent Post 122 from victory, as Warrenton outlasted Pacific 9-5.The game saw a slow start for both teams at the plate that would eventually take off in the bottom of the second.Allen Shepard and Ryan Adams walked to lead off the inning. Courtesy runner Shane Emge and Adams would eventually score, aided by a single from Chris Garrett.“It was finally that timely hitting that we needed that really made a difference on everything,” said Dildine. “We were clicking well yesterday.”Pacific responded in the third, needing just two hits to generate three runs, aided by a pair of Post 122 infield errors. Post 320’s 3-2 advantage stood until the top of the fifth, when it tacked on another run.Warrenton’s charge to regain control began in the bottom of the inning, as Austin Dixon doubled to lead off. Bradley Smith, Shepard and Garrett followed with singles. Dixon, Smith and courtesy runner Emge eventually scored, pulling Post 122 to within one run.“We made a couple mental mistakes in the middle of the game,” said Dildine. “Those are usually what kills us, but tonight we were able to overcome that.”Warrenton locked the game at 5-5 in the sixth, and Collin Leslie put the brakes on Pacific in the final 1.2 innings.“Once we got the lead we brought in Collen Leslie, and he shut the door on them,” said Dildine.Meanwhile, Post 122 unloaded during final trip to the plate, scoring four runs with two outs.“Their pitcher was getting tired, and I recognized that,” said Dildine. “I told the boys to be patient and let the ball come to them.”In fact, the rally came without a single hit — purely a product of taking advantage of pitching collapse on Pacific’s behalf. Four Warrenton batters reached by walk while another two were hit by pitches. Dildine was proud of how his team kept the inning alive.“A lot of had to do with the way we handled ourselves in the dugout,” said Dildine. “The boys didn’t quit. When Brandon was struggling on the mound, they picked him up.”The sixth inning comeback was a definining moment for Post 122, who had struggled mightily to close out its previous contests.“We made the changes that we needed, and as a result, we came up with another victory,” said Dildine.Garrett, who double rosters with the Freshman team as well, led Warrenton with three hits and three RBIs.“I put Garrett at second base, and he came unglued, making great stops and fielding the ball well,” said Dildine. “He was also a tremendous help at the plate.”Matt Dildine returned to the field for Warrenton, making it on base during each of his three appearances, after missing two weeks with an injury.JUNIORS DEFEAT PACIFICDerrick Forsythe photo.