The Warrenton softball team’s bid for a second consecutive Class 3 state championship got off to a less-than-smooth start Monday afternoon as the team battled wet field conditions and incoming rain.

The Warriors began practice on the upper field grass and alternated between the batting cages and the turf on the east side of the football field.

“The weather makes it a little difficult,” Head Coach Trevor Hibbs said. “We’ve got to deal with the heat and we’ve got to deal with the wet ground right now, so those are some issues we’re trying to work around.”

Hibbs said the biggest focus early in summer will be working on fundamentals, but he will have his eye on the starting catcher battle.

“We’re working on fielding, catching, outfield play, stuff like that,” he said. “We’ll get our pitchers throwing and we’re really going to have to concentrate this year on our catching. We’ve got to get somebody to fill Abby Meyers’ shoes. We’ve got a couple of girls that are going after it right now.”

Meyers graduated in the spring after starting four years, and two players have caught Hibbs’ eye early.

“Jordan Rugh and Hope Roetemeyer are both in the mix, so we’re going to try and work them extra hard every day in practice,” Hibbs said. “We’re going to work really hard on the fundamentals of catching. My first year here we had Abby Job and she was nails, then Abby Meyers filled her shoes for the next four years, so we’ve been blessed at that position. Hopefully we can have one of these girls step up and be as good as Abby.”

Hibbs seemed less worried about his pitching staff, despite losing Taylor Nordwald (18-1, 0.88 earned-run average) to graduation.

Seniors Jenny Jansen and Kaylee Anderson are expected to lead the staff.

The duo combined for 10 wins and 68 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings last season.

“We’re really looking for last year’s girls to step up this year,” Hibbs said. 

Hibbs hopes he can evaluate his girls on a field as soon as possible.

Tuesday’s practice was moved to the Daniel Boone Elementary gym after Monday night’s storm.

“We’re just trying to figure out the puzzle,” he said. “Last year we were trying to figure it out, we finally figured it out and it worked. Early on we’re going to try and figure out what’s best for this group of girls and hopefully it works out.”