Unable to find any rhythm at the plate during nine previous defeats, the Warrenton baseball team finally was finally able to battle with intensity on both sides of the ball. The Warriors had been reduced to relying on their defense on several occasions but found themselves out-hitting conference foe Washington at times during Friday's GAC Classic at T.R. Hughes Stadium. Warrenton came up shy, losing 8-6, despite a late rally. The Warriors fell to 0-10 on the season but played with a competitive fire Burle knew they were capable of. Warrenton cracked out nine hits, including a pair of doubles. "The games that we've been in, we've had a little more pep to our step and a little more confidence at the plate," said Burle. "Tonight we were just looking for something positive - a spark." The Warriors exhibited that confidence on Friday, even in an adverse situation. Washington came out swinging with intensity and generated a prompt 3-0 lead after one inning. Warrenton starting pitcher Alan Burbach tamed the Blue Jays attack and was reinforced by a solid defensive effort. But what got the Warriors more fired up on Friday was the ability to get on base and harass the Blue Jays infield. Warrenton managed to steal five bases, while Washington went empty-handed in that category. The Warriors also took advantage of five Blue Jay errors. Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the second, the they rattled off four straight runs. "Everybody was hitting and we were putting the ball into play," said Burle. "Some of the younger guys with speed were able to lay out infield hits and we got a bunt hit too. Our guys have to buy into doing whatever they can to get on base." The teams remained tied at 4-4 until the Blue Jays drove in another pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Junior Colby Turner came in to replace Burbach on the mound during the following inning. Burbach fanned four batters in as many innings and allowed three earned runs before shifting into the outfield. Turner surrendered a pair of runs during his first inning of work but tightened up to keep the Warriors within reach. He finished the game with just one strikeout but the defensive effort behind him was perhaps the best Burle had seen this season. "I think we had more positives in this game than negatives," said Burle. "Burbach made some really good plays out in the field for us. He was able to stretch out and reach what I thought was maybe the hardest hit ball of the game. It was one of better plays I've seen this season." Warrenton trailed 8-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, before engineering a series of hits. Matt Duren crushed a double - just one of several deep Warrior hits on the day - and Warrenton was suddenly in position to threaten Washington's command. "With two outs, we were able to get several consecutive hits," said Burle. "We were probably an extra base hit away from tying it up. The Warriors scored two runs but Washington's infield refused to let the game slip away. "Their third baseman and shortstop made two could have committed an error." Eight different Warriors recorded hits, with Duren and Keith Terry each cranking out doubles.