[Correction: Brylen Shoults was the catcher against Wright City. The Record regrets the error]

The Warrenton softball team held off a comeback from Wright City to secure a 12-7 victory on Sept. 12. 

After Warrenton stormed to a 7-0 lead, the Wildcats responded with seven combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game 7-7. 

However, Warrenton’s Rylee Cary came up to bat. 

With bases loaded, Cary hit a line drive to ignite a five-run rally.  

“Cary has struggled a bit in the past couple of games, so to see a girl that is trying to figure out her swing have that success was a sparking point for us,” Warrenton coach Chad Berrey said. 

Cary, Brylen Shoults, Gracelyn Sitton, Hannah Gibson and Audrey Lanzone scored runs for Warrenton in the seventh. 

“We’ve struggled defensively, but the defense was working and it was clicking,” Berrey said. Gibson closed out the game with a scoreless bottom of the seventh and finished with six strikeouts. Warrenton’s defense had a strong effort, committing just one error and recording 15 outs. 

Berrey also praised Shoults for her work behind the plate. 

“Wright City has a long backstop and that was pretty intimidating coming into the game, but (Shoults) had the game of the year. She really kept us in the game and allowed only two pass balls with that backstop,” Berrey said. 

Warrenton also picked up its first win of the season. The Warriors were 0-13 before their contest with Wright City. 

“This win means a lot because we never imagined we’d be in this position to start off the season,” Berrey said. “Now that we've gotten over that hump I’m hoping the girls play with a little more confidence and freely now that we can take that zero off the record board.” 

The Warriors have also turned their focus to growth. 

“Every single game, we’re getting a little better. We’re giving up less spaces for free, we’re hitting more of our spots and our younger hitters are minimizing strikeouts and being more competitive at bat,” Berrey said. 

Berrey gave credit to the Wildcats. 

“I always give props to coach (Fred) Ross and how he does everything over there. They have a lot of class over there in their dugout and all props go out to (Lorelai) Kellner. She’s a great pitcher and I think she’s going to be one of the top in Class 3,” Berrey said. 

Kellner went the distance and struck out nine batters. 

Also for Wright City, Haley Martin collected two RBIs, while Warrenton’s Lanzone recorded five RBIs and Ali Neidlinger scored three runs.