By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorDespite Brandon Moeller’s second consecutive complete game performance on the hill, the Warrenton Senior Legion lineup couldn’t muster enough run support in a 3-1 loss at home to St. Charles.An eight-game winning streak came to a close Monday as Post 122 was held to just five hits and its lowest scoring total since being shutout by Wentzville on June 2.“I thought Brandon pitched one heck of a game,” Warrenton Senior Legion Head Coach Scott Butler said. “A loss is a loss, but we will move forward and we will see them again on Sunday.”Taking advantage of fielding miscues and three doubles, Post 312 (15-9) opened up a three-run lead through the first five innings.A potential fourth run was thrown out at the plate on a well-executed first-and-third situation in which Warrenton shortstop Chris Garrett cut off a throw to second and catcher James Dotson was able to make a diving tag of the runner who elluded him at first, but overran home plate.Moeller settled down and did not allow a run over the last four innings. He finished his outing with eight strikeouts while giving up 11 hits and two earned runs for Post 122 (9-3).“He’s a natural born competitor,” Butler said. “Brandon came in during the fifth inning and said he wanted to go the whole game unless he was getting shelled. He’s a type of player you love to have on your team.”James Dotson was one of the few to find success against Tristan Tredway, who struck out 12 hitters and went all nine innings.Looking for some seventh-inning magic, Dotson led off with his second hit as he singled through the left side of the infield. A double play on the next pitch quickly erased much hope to plate a run.However, Hunter Russell drew a two-out walk on four straight pitches and then Tyler Brittain caught the St. Charles defense sleeping with an infield bunt single. Ben Stephens followed with a line drive RBI single down the right field line to plate Russell and cut the deficit to 3-1.Stephens stole his 10th base of the year to become the tying run with Brittain at third, but Tredway stranded them both by striking out Troy Muse to end the threat.Tredway allowed his fifth walk in the ninth, but struck out three more to come away with an impressive road victory.“He gave us 135 pitches of everything he had today,” said St. Charles Head Coach Kurt Denningmann. “He went quick in the eighth inning and we let him roll the rest of the way.”With one more meeting lined up with St. Charles on the schedule for this Sunday in the regular-season finale, both teams realize that one of the top seeds in the district tournament could be up for grabs.“They will get Ben Stephens on Sunday,” Butler said. “It’s going to be a redemption game where we are going to want to make up for our performance today. We just didn’t hit today and we ran into a good pitcher. We will get ready for Sunday and make sure everyone is level-headed.”Even after winning one of the biggest road contests of the summer schedule, Denningmann spoke strongly about the Post 122 Senior Legion program.“Warrenton has really turned their program around with an eight-game winning streak,” he said. “We haven’t won eight in a row all season. It was a great ballgame and I knew it would be. When we meet them again Sunday, the outcome will be even more crucial.”Post 122’s next home game will be against O’Fallon on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at Warrenton High School against O’Fallon.

Warrenton Senior Legion catcher James Dotson watches as the home plate umpire calls the runner out at home. However, St. Charles came out with a 3-1 win on the road Monday.

Patrick MacCoon photo.