Success in recent years has yielded solid numbers for the Warrenton softball team.Coach Trevor Hibbs was thrilled to see nearly 30 athletes filter into preseason practices.“I feel more comfortable now than I did last year at this time,” said Hibbs. “We should compete well in most games.”It means a healthy supply of depth for a proven cast of starters, including pitcher Jennah Garrison.The senior is entering her fourth year on the varsity level and has been a leader both on the mound and at the plate.“She’s a competitor both on the mound, and when she’s up to bat,” said Hibbs. “She wants to win as badly as I do.” Last season Garrison batted .536 with 30 hits and a team-best 22 RBIs.She also led the way with a 2.26 ERA through 93 innings pitched. Garrison struck out 63 batters and walked 19, going 10-5 as a starter.But the work won’t fall completely on Garrison, as three underclassmen are expected to contribute.“Having more pitchers like this will allow us to not log as many innings and keep her fresh,” said Hibbs.Sophomore Taylor Nordwald split a pair of starts in 2012, sporting a 3.79 ERA through 20 innings.Freshman Kaylee Anderson and sophomore Erica Rugh will also pitch, while playing various other roles on the field.“We definitely have more pitching than we’ve had in the past,” said Hibbs. “Having four girls that can throw strikes on the same team is a really big plus.”The Warriors did graduate one of their more productive players in Melanie Raterman, but they return their lead-off hitter and fleet-footed shortstop.Now a senior, Danyelle Dieckman will be counted on to lead the team in runs again, scoring 30 times last season. She batted .423, recording 33 hits.Rachel Eearlewine will also bat near the top of the order, after collecting 24 hits with a .393 average a year ago.“For us to be successful we’ve got to get on base,” said Hibbs. “I’m counting on those two girls to get on base and for others to drive them in.”Two others returning with considerable varsity experience are seniors Brianna Vogt and Danielle Morrow.Vogt will start in the outfield again after batting .349 and recording 17 RBIs last season.“Bri stayed pretty steady for us,” recalled Hibbs.Morrow, who played third base and was a designated hitter, returns after collecting 20 hits and 10 RBIs a year ago.“She had a slow start last year then picked it up toward the end,” said Hibbs.Stacey Hemminghaus, who will play first base when Garrison is pitching, led the Warriors with three home runs last season.Sophomore Abby Meyers returns for her second year behind the plate, after a successful role as catcher in 2012.Freshman Brittney Eubanks may also see time behind the plate.Hibbs is also excited about the potential of Jenny Jansen in the outfield.“Jenny brings a lot to the game,” said Hibbs. “She can do anything we need on the field and is going to be a nice addition to the team.”Hibbs is keeping his expectations high, anxious to groom another group of underclassmen for success.“There’s a lot of good freshmen that have potential if they just keep working on the fundamentals,” said Hibbs. “They are fundamentally sound and have been taught well.”The Warriors open the season at Clopton on Aug. 29.“Our goal is to win conference and districts and hopefully we can advance farther,” said Hibbs. “We have a lot of potential and hopefully we can meet that. It’s going to come down our defense and timely hitting.”

Warrenton senior Danyelle Dieckman will lead-off for the Warriors this season.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.