The Warrenton softball team’s season came to an end on Oct. 17 after a 8-5 loss to Kirksville in the Class 4, District 5 quarterfinals. 

The Warriors kept the game close, but Kirksville was able to score in every single inning which eventually added up. 

Warrenton was scoreless in the first couple innings, but was able to rack up some runs in response. Paige Campbell scored two runs and Kiera Daniel, Morgan Marschel and Adee Morgan each tallied one. 

“It was a very competitive game. The girls had really good resilience and that never stop attitude all the way until the last out,” Head Coach Chad Berrey said. 

Warrenton ended their season with an 8-16 record. 

“To be honest, we’re a little disappointed on how everything turned out. I don’t think 8-16 reflects the quality of ballplayers we have, but I think there’s a lot of growth that happened this year,” Berrey said. 

Berrey specified numerous examples of the team’s growth ranging from the senior leadership to good team culture to girls battling back from injuries and putting themselves at the top of school record books. 

He touted freshman pitcher Hannah Gibson for working through a serious back injury and keeping the team in games. 

“She made huge strides from game one all the way to the last game. We’re really looking forward to what the future holds for her,” Berrey said. “I think she’s going to have a pretty impressive high school career.” 

The Warriors had three senior leaders on the squad this season: Daniel, Marschel and Morgan. 

Both Daniel and Morgan had been with Berrey since the middle school feeder team, while Marschel joined the program her sophomore year. 

Berrey praised Marschel for the growth she displayed over the three years after having gone from not knowing how to stand in the batter’s box to hitting almost a .300 batting average. 

“For about four or five games, she was a spark plug that started off big innings and we rallied around that hit,” Berrey said. “Defensively, she locked down left field.” 

He went on to say that Marschel was like the “team counselor” and was always the person that could cheer you up. 

“Morgan Marschel is like the greatest person in the world,” Berrey said. 

He praised [Adee] Morgan for saving their season when Campbell got injured, which caused numerous displacements in positions. 

“She was incredible. After not playing outfield for a couple months and jumping out there, she’ll probably go down as one of our best outfielders that we’ve had come to the program,” Berrey said. 

Lastly, Berrey recognized Daniel as the team’s impressive offensive leader. 

“She put up gaudy numbers. I haven’t looked at the record book, but after solidifying her senior years, she’s at the top of pretty much every category,” Berrey said. “She’s going to have a great next couple of years at Jefferson College.” 

Daniel broke school records for career stolen bases with 111 and single-season stolen bases at 45. She became third under Jenny Jansen and Kaylee Anderson in runs scored. Daniel had 119 career runs and 45 runs this season. She was also second in the school’s record for batting average in a season with a .577 average and was second in career hits at 142. 

Berrey noted that replacing the three seniors will be a tough feat, not just because of what they did on the field, but off the field as well. 

Despite the season ending not how they wanted to, Berrey is excited to see current players continue to grow as well as welcoming the incoming eighth grade class. 

“We really think we can make a big bang next year, so there’s good things to come in our future,” Berrey said.