By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarrenton senior pitcher Taylor Nordwald makes a mistake about as much as she changes her demeanor on the mound.It is rare in both cases.In both Class 3 state tournament games, Nordwald’s steady presence and ability to escape jams were pivotal in the Warriors’ title run.The senior hurler pitched all 12 innings over the final two games for the Warriors. Only three of the five runs she allowed were earned. She gave up nine hits, while striking out 10 and walking five.Nordwald buckled down at key times.In Saturday’s title game, the first two batters for Cape Girardeau Notre Dame reached to start the fifth inning with Warrenton clinging to a 5-2 lead. She retired Lily Dohogne, who had accounted for the Bulldogs’ lone runs with a homer in the third, on a popup snared by catcher Abby Meyers.After a hit loaded the bases, Nordwald struck out the next batter and induced a flyout to end the inning unscathed.“When the pressure was on, I knew we needed outs,” Nordwald said.Five of Notre Dame’s nine base runners were stranded in scoring position.“Taylor kept her composure and kept plugging away,” Head Coach Trevor Hibbs said. “She has done that all year. She doesn’t get up or down when the team makes a mistake. That is a sign of a great pitcher.“She pitched a phenomenal game. She was determined to win this thing, that’s for sure.”Defense steps upWhile the offense put up gaudy numbers throughout the state tourney, Warrenton had few miscues on defense behind Nordwald.The Warriors committed two errors in both games, but avoided big innings by making nearly all of the routine plays.In Saturday’s title game, Notre Dame attempted to use bunts and slap hits to pressure Warrenton, but Nordwald and sophomore third baseman Amanda Vehlewald snuffed out several chances.Sophomore first baseman Destinee Frost and Meyers, a senior catcher, both made running catches in foul territory in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively. Junior Jenny Jansen also made a play deep in the hole at shortstop that led to an out when the runner at second tried to move up a base.In Friday’s semifinal, senior right fielder Amanda LaFaver also made two nice grabs.“For the most part, our defense was solid,” Hibbs said.Sophomores go deepTwo sophomores got into the act by going deep. Third baseman Amanda Vehlewald hit a two-run homer in the third inning of Friday’s semifinal win. Center fielder Kelsey Huenefeld hit a solo blast to lead off the bottom of the first in Saturday’s championship tilt.Vehlewald, batting ninth in the lineup, gave Warrenton an 8-2 lead. It was just her second home run of the season.“I was looking to hit the ball hard,” she said. “I knew I had two strikes so I knew I had to hit it. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was gone.”Meanwhile, Huenefeld had one home run on the season, but it came on a sprint on an inside-the-park hit. This time she left no question her bomb was going to clear the fence, even if she was unsure it had enough flight.“I saw Coach (Laurie Jansen) jumping up and down, I didn’t think this was happening,” Huenefeld said. “It felt great. It was really exciting.”Community prideThe softball team was treated to a police escort out of town when they departed for Springfield Thursday morning and upon their return Sunday. In addition, a community reception was held Sunday afternoon to honor the squad.Strong crowds were present for both games, despite Springfield being at least three hours away.“The school is excited, the crowds were awesome; the whole atmosphere,” Hibbs said. “To see this many people is pretty special.”New mascotWarrenton had a mascot that traveled with the team for most of the year and accompanied the team to Springfield.Sitting in a small jar atop the water cooler, each team member would pet the fish prior to each game. The idea came from watching the softball team at Louisiana State University make a playoff run last year, junior Jenny Jansen said. She then went out and bought the fish.“He’s like our good luck charm,” Jansen said.Playoff notesThis is the second state title for Head Coach Trevor Hibbs. During his junior year at Hallsville, he was a starter on the baseball team that won the Class 2A title in 1987, also the school’s first state championship. He primarily played pitcher and third base. Hibbs is currently in his fifth year at Warrenton. He also led the Bowling Green boys basketball team to a state appearance in 2007, where the Bobcats finished fourth. . .All nine starters for Warrenton had at least one hit and either scored or drove in a run over the course of the two games at state. Offensively, Kaylee Anderson had a team-high five hits in seven at-bats, while Erica Rugh, Amanda LaFaver and Taylor Nordwald had four hits apiece. . .Rugh knocked in a team-high seven runs, while Anderson followed with five RBIs. Entering the state tourney, Rugh was seventh on the squad in RBIs with 23. Destinee Frost and Anderson each scored a team-best five runs. . .In six playoff games, Warrenton outscored its opponents 63-9. The 10-run rule ended four of the contests.Lady Warriors