Scott Butler hopes he has enough time.

The Warrenton Post 122 AAA manager maneuvered around an incomplete roster early in the season while his team dropped to the bottom of the District 9 standings.

They climbed above the .500 mark with an 18-6 win over Sullivan Sunday, but lightning halted the momentum Monday night in Elsberry.

The game was called in the third inning, and Post 122 (6-5 overall, 3-4 in district) is off until Monday.

“My biggest fear coming into the summer was our pitching and worrying if we were going to have enough depth,” Butler said. “Last year, when you had an all-state pitcher like Ben Stephens, you knew you were going to go pretty far. But this year, (Hunter) Capstick has really taken the leadership role on the mound and he’s pitching really well. He’s dialed in.”

Capstick has started two games for Post 122 since returning from vacation, posting a 1.00 earned-run average while striking out 21.

He has also given the team a lift with his bat.

He is hitting .444 in 18 at-bats to go along with four doubles, a triple, four RBIs and two stolen bases.

Through 11 games, the team has 48 stolen bases.

Troy Muse leads the way with 13 of his own.

“Offensively, our speed really speaks volumes,” Butler said. “It really puts pressure on the other team, and that generates a lot of runs.”

The defense hasn’t always been as reliable, surrendering 24 errors to date.

“It’s been picking up lately,” Butler said. “Earlier in the season, we were trying to figure out where to put guys, but it has gotten better and we’re starting to settle in. We’re not asking for them to make the top-10 catches and diving plays. We’re just asking them to make the simple play when it presents itself, so the pitchers know they don’t have to strike everyone out. That’s one thing they don’t need. If pitchers think they can go out there and give up ground balls and easy fly-balls, it makes it easier for them.”

While Butler said the performances of players like Capstick and Muse were expected, he has run into pleasant surprises, as well.

“The real shining moment has been Austin Nicolas,” he said. “He has pitched really well for us, too.”

Nicolas leads Post 122 with 17 innings pitched this season.

He has a 2.47 ERA and has struck out 15.

Butler said Nicolas will be asked to help carry the pitching load next week as the team plays five games in five days.

Post 122 sits in eighth place in the district, which qualifies eight teams for the playoffs.

“We just hope to be one of the eight teams in,” Butler said. “The bottom four or five teams are all bunched together, so with a few wins you can get to fifth or sixth pretty easily.”

The team travels to Washington Wednesday and hosts Pacific and Union Thursday and Friday.

“I think we should be 5-2 in district play,” Butler said. “We ran into a good arm against Union and then we just got shellacked against St. Clair. But I’m happy with how we’re playing right now, that’s for dang sure. We’re starting to play the right ball at the right time. I just hope it’s not too late.”