It wasn't a mechanical change, yet an emotional shift, that allowed Lindsay Mauch to make her dream become a reality. The Warrenton senior entered her final season determined to lift her batting average and earn the highest possible accolades. To her own surprise, she managed to accomplish both of those feats during the Warriors' 17-8 season. Mauch was selected to the Class 3 All-State team as an outfielder, becoming just the fourth player in school history to earn that honor. "She had the determination and work ethic that allowed her to be successful," said coach Trevor Hibbs. Teammate Abby Job was also selected as a second-team catcher. Mauch's achievement came in large part as a result of her impressive statistics. She set a new school single-season record with 53 hits, batting a team-best .570 on the season. Despite her stellar numbers, Mauch still wasn't sure she would get recognized on a statewide level. "Being all-state was one of my goals at the beginning of the season, but I wasn't sure I'd actually achieve it," said Mauch. "I was actually really surprised when I found out." Mechanically, she hadn't changed anything with her batting entering the 2011 season. But Mauch had heeded some advice from her father, Steve, who is also a Warrenton assistant coach. "My dad had always told me that I looked scared when I walked to the plate," said Mauch. "This year I tried to change that. I would go up there confident, not caring what pitcher was throwing against me." After batting just .238 as a junior, Mauch started the year off strong and was the Warriors' most consistent hitter. "A lot of it was confidence," said Hibbs. "When you start off good, it seems like things keep going good for you." Hibbs decided to use Mauch in the lead-off position because of bunting abilities and speed between the bases. While that showed in her 12 stolen bases, Mauch's ability to plant the ball deep also became exposed throughout the season. "She was quite the weapon for a lead-off batter," said Hibbs. "She could bunt or hit for power. If the lower part of the lineup was left on base, she'd bat them in too." Mauch collected nine doubles, two triples and four home runs. "I've always been able to hit singles, but hitting those home runs really surprised me," said Mauch. With her goal in reach and her batting on fire, Mauch refused to let her percentage drop. She noticed a tendency in her batting and quickly adjusted. "Halfway through the season I changed how I gripped the bat, because I had started popping up a lot," said Mauch. Hibbs says what was unique for Mauch her ability to avoid falling into a slump. She never let the emotions of a disappointing plate appearance affect her next at-bat. "A bad game for her was like 1-for-4," said Hibbs. "It didn't happen often." Mauch says she kept driving herself, recognizing the importance of her role. She was responsible for a 25 RBI and also crossed home plate 36 times herself. "I had come into the season wanting to hit a lot better than last year," said Mauch. "As I kept going, it gave me a lot of confidence and I was determined not to let my average fall. I had a couple of games where I went 1-for-4, and I was just like, ‘I'm not going to let that happen again.' " Mauch, who spent her first two seasons as a starting pitcher, says she appreciated the opportunity to play outfield this year. "My summer coach never gave me a chance and would always say that left-handed people don't really play outfield," said Mauch. "I convinced Coach (Shannon) Jeffrey to let me play outfield last season, and I really liked it." Mauch started the first game of her freshman season on the mound with a win over Holt. She finished her career with 109 hits, leaving a permanent mark on the Warrenton softball program.