Heading into the season Warrenton Coach Eric Burle was expecting the strength of his team to be fielding and pitching.While that eventually developed as a truth, the Warriors managed to fire up their bats on a consistent basis this season too.Six different players batted .346 or better during a 17-10 campaign. Warrenton’s season came to a close during the district semifinals against St. Dominic.“We were probably the most balanced team we’ve had since I’ve been coaching,” said Burle. “We had two pretty solid pitchers, but then our top half of the order could be stacked up against any six guys in our conference.”The Warriors were unable to avenge a loss in the district title game from the year before and finished second in the GAC with a 5-3 mark, but Burle says there was plenty to be excited about.“We started the season a little bit sluggish, but I think in the end it helped us out and fueled us for the rest of the season,” said Burle “Pitching and defense is something we had leaned on the past couple years.”He says the Warriors struggled out of the gate, losing three out of their first five before winning four straight.Pitching did end up being the base of Warrenton’s success, but it was aided by tremendous run support.Junior Ben Stephens pitched a team-high 62 innings, recording a 6-4 record with a 1.79 ERA. He struck out 75 batters and walked 20.“Ben shouldered quite a bit of a load for us,” said Burle. “He’s a competitor and took a lot of pride in the results. He was able to improve his fastball a little bit and his slider is one of the better breaking pitches in the conference.”The Warriors were equally reliant upon senior Brandon Moeller, who tossed 59 innings for a 6-5 record. He carried a 2.23 ERA, striking out 70 while walking nine.“He came into the program a little bit further along as a pitcher than as a hitter, but he’s actually become one of our better offensive players,” said Burle. “That says a lot about the work he’s put in over the years.”Moeller led the team with a .451 batting average and 37 hits, along with 21 RBIs and 18 runs scored.Stephens batted .346 with 28 hits, scoring 17 runs.Warrenton’s next most utilized pitcher was senior Airk Rader, who had a 3.41 ERA through 24 innings.First-year varsity player Hunter Russell batted .384 for the Warriors in the lead-off position, collecting 33 hits and scoring 23 runs.He was followed by fellow sophomore outfielder Hunter Capstick, who was second on the team with a .422 average and 35 hits. He managed nine doubles and drove in 16 runs.“There were big expectations for them to play center and right field and bat at the top of our order,” said Burle. “They were guys who matured a lot from their freshman year.”Sophomore catcher Dallas Johnson proved to be the Warriors’ top extra-base hitter, recording 14 doubles while batting .395.Senior Will Reese batted .353 during limited appearances at the plate.Burle lists victories over Sullivan and Orchard Farm as pivotal moments from the season. Warrenton took second in the Kirksville Tournament, winning two out of three contests. The Warriors began the EMO season 4-0, winning consecutive games against both Orchard Farm and Winfield.“A conference championship would have been great, but at least we put ourselves in position to win it,” said Burle. “I think by the end of the year we were playing well. These guys have a lot to be proud of.”The Warriors graduated nine seniors this spring.STEPHENS ON THE MOUNDDerrick Forsythe Photo.