It was a milestone season for the Warrenton softball team on a number of levels.The Warriors clinched their second district championship in four years, went on a dominant 17-game winning streak and finished with a program-best 22-4 record.Warrenton reached the Class 3 Sectional Playoff, before falling to eventual three-time state champion Centralia.“Our success says a lot about how hard these kids have worked individually and committed themselves over the summer,” said Coach Trevor Hibbs.The Warriors were strong in nearly every area, including at pitcher, where they boasted a duo of talented starters.Senior Jennah Garrison was a four-year starter and carried a 2.07 ERA through 108 innings. She struck out 79 batters and walked 13.She also batted .446 with 33 hits and a team-best eight home runs.Garrison’s work was complemented by sophomore Taylor Nordwald, who provided depth with a 2.48 ERA, striking out 24 batters.“We didn’t have strikeout pitchers,” said Hibbs. “Our pitchers relied on our defense. We were going to be as good as our defense.”Fortunately for him, Warrenton had one of most reliable fielding crews in recent history.It started with senior shortstop Danyelle Dieckman and trailed out to freshman centerfielder Jenny Jansen. Both were extremely proficient at their positions and also provided a spark at the plate.Jansen batted a team-best .513, pounding out 41 hits, including 16 doubles.Dieckman had .321 with 26 hits and 17 RBIs.“If we don’t have Danyelle, Jenny’s in there playing short and outfield is totally different,” said Hibbs. “They were both huge assets to this team.”Rachel Earlewine cleaned up at second base, while Stacey Hemminghaus played first base.Hemminghaus became exceptionally valuable during the last few weeks of the season, when provided the game-winning hits against Battle and versus Bowling Green in the district championship game.“Stacey really came on at the end of the season,” said Hibbs. “The last three or four games she showed she didn’t want it to end. She was the right person in the right spot.”Hibbs was also pleased with the improvement shown by Erica Rugh, who came through with a .378 average, cranking out 31 hits and 25 RBIs.Additionally, the Warriors relied on the presence of Abby Meyers behind the plate for a second straight year, also getting 19 hits out of the sophomore.Along Jansen, freshman Kaylee Anderson was another immediate impact player for Warrenton. She played several positions, including third base and outfield, while batting .389.The Warriors will lose six seniors, including outfielder Brianna Vogt and infielder Danielle Morrow.Hibbs says the Warriors’ most impressive regular season victory was undoubtedly the extra innings triumph over St. Dominic.“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a better comeback,” said Hibbs. “That’s a lot of runs to make up. Coming away with that victory was probably one of the most amazing wins I’ve ever seen.”

Warrenton sophomore Abby Meyers helped the Warriors to a milestone 22-4 season.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.