By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorWith three all-state members returning for the upcoming fall softball season, Warrenton has hopes to top its district tournament championship run from last year.“Their goal is to win it all, but it’s my job to let them know we are going about things one practice and game at a time,” Warrenton Head Coach Trevor Hibbs said. “They love having big expectations and they like being on top. They embrace being the program that everybody looks up at.”Shortstop Jenny Jansen and pitchers Kaylee Anderson and Taylor Nordwald highlight a deep and experienced roster, which only lost one starter from a 20-4 finish in 2014.As juniors, Jansen and Nordwald look to provide a dangerous punch in the middle of the lineup again after driving in a combined 56 runs, which accounted for 39.7 percent of the Warriors’ run production last season. The duo combined for 18 doubles and a .526 average in GAC North games.Jansen led all with a .500 batting average and 37 hits while only stricking out twice. She has already committed to Southern Illinois University to play college softball.“I think she is going to be even better this year,” Hibbs said. “She seems more confident to me. Having already decided where she is going to school will allow her to relax and have more fun.”Jansen also led Warrenton in triples (three), runs (27), and runs batted (31).While she understands the expectations surrounding the program, the pressure is accepted.“A lot of people have our backs,” Jansen said. “Our school and fans expect a lot out of us, but it’s good pressure. Our goal is to make it to state this year after losing sectionals for two years in a row. We are excited to work toward that goal.”The Warriors’ pitching staff will feature Anderson and Nordwald, who accounted for every inning pitched last season.Anderson, who will be a senior, led the conference with seven shutouts and won 11 games. The aces of the GAC North combined for 169 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings while only allowing 29 walks.“We expect Kaylee and Taylor to once again lead our team on the mound,” Hibbs said. “Freshman Destinee Frost and Jansen can also pitch for us this season if needed. It’s rare that you have two all-state pitchers though. We were blessed with pitching.”In order to repeat a perfect 8-0 conference record as it did last year, Warrenton will focus on two approaches in specific.“We just want to limit our opposition in terms of runs allowed,” he said. “Then we want to put the pressure on them by putting the ball in play hard. We don’t want lazy fly ball or pop-up outs, we want line drives and hard ground balls.”Other key returners will be Erica Rugh, Abby Meyers, Brittney Eubanks, Kelsey Huenefeld, Amanda LaFaver and Amanda Vehlewald. The six other starters all hit above .300 and helped an offense which averaged seven runs per game. Meyers tied for the team lead with two home runs while Rugh hit .411.Rugh and Huenfeld return as the Lady Warriors top threats on the base paths. The speedsters successfully stole 29 of 30 bases last season for a squad that averaged 3.42 stolen bases per contest, which led the conference.“I think our lineup is going to put the ball in play a lot and force the issue,” he said. “Any girl in our lineup is capable of having a big game. They all played select ball this summer at a high level and are prepared for a strong season.”The season opener for Warrenton will be on the road against Hermann on Aug. 24.“Coach just wants us to come in and work really hard every day,” Jansen said. “He wants a state appearance as much as we do.”

Warrenton junior shortstop Jenny Jansen has already given her softball commitment to Southern Illinois University and will look to help lead her team to state this fall. Jansen finished amongst the GAC North leaders in several hitting categories last season.

Derrick Forsythe photo.