The importance of a stressful nonconference win on Monday cannot be measured by statistics. For a program that had dropped two consecutive games, winning its final regular season contest was crucial. …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Warriors Open Districts Tonight
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
The importance of a stressful nonconference win on Monday cannot be measured by statistics.For a program that had dropped two consecutive games, winning its final regular season contest was crucial.The 6-5 triumph over Battle High School of Columbia was a sigh of relief for a Warrenton softball team that has regained its confidence heading into the Class 3 District 7 Tournament.“It was great,” said Coach Trevor Hibbs. “We really needed this game for our mindset.”After winning 17 straight games, the Warriors had lost back-to-back meetings with Washington and Howell Central. When a third setback seemed imminent, Warrenton answered.“When our backs are against the wall, the girls respond,” said Hibbs. “They’ve been a resilient group this season.”With her team notched at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Stacey Hemminghaus singled to drive in the winning run.“I think we did a lot of things right,” asserted Hemminghaus. “They were just a good team.”Battle had taken a 2-0 lead in the third, before Jennah Garrison cranked a two-run shot over the fence, leaving her mark on senior night.“Jennah’s home run was a bomb,” said Hibbs. “That’s about as far as I’ve seen her hit one out.”Danyelle Dieckman singled to help score a pair of runs in the fifth, but the Spartans were quick to fire back. Battle scored one run in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the contest, as sophomore Taylor Nordwald replaced Garrison on the mound.“After we took the lead at 4-2, we had some problems with a grounder and with making decisions on getting the out,” said Hibbs.Warrenton left the bases loaded in the seventh.The teams traded runs again in the eighth inning, with Dieckman and Rachel Earlewine connecting on singles. Freshman Jenny Jansen was able to score Dieckman on a fielder’s choice.Jansen also made several pivotal plays in centerfield to stave off Battle.“Jenny’s catches were phenomenal,” said Hibbs. “She’s been doing that all year, one play after another.”Needing a breakthrough in the bottom of the ninth, Nordwald doubled and advanced home courtesy of Hemminghaus.Moments later the Warriors were celebrating with an exuberance that indicated the vitality of the victory.“I really feel like we got our momentum and spunk back,” said Hibbs. “To win 19 games total and lose two in one week is tough. We bounced back though.”Hemminghaus says the level of competition has been improved over the past week.“We’ve been seeing better teams and a lot better pitching than we had earlier in the season,” said Hemminghaus.Hibbs is hopeful the experience against those quality larger schools will pay dividends as the Warriors open district play on Thursday.Warrenton will play the winner of Wednesday’s Wright City versus Fulton first-round game.The Warriors are the second seed, with undefeated North Callaway having claimed the top seed.
The Warrenton softball team begins district play tonight in Fulton.
