The Warrenton baseball team loaded the bases to no avail on two occasions during its 3-0 season-opening loss to Bowling Green on Monday. It was the story of the night for the Warriors, who struggled to advance runners home but managed to keep the game close with a solid fielding effort. Coach Eric Burle says his team’s first outing of the season had its share of positives but also revealed areas that need work. “I think we came out ready to play but just made a lot of mental mistakes in this game,” said Burle. Although just two physical errors were committed, the Warriors were hindered by delayed throws or decision-making in the field during the final three innings. The game remained scoreless through the fifth inning, when Bowling Green pushed through its first run. Warrenton managed just three hits but was able to consistently make contact and reach base. “It’s hard to say the offense wasn’t there, because there were a number of times we had runners in scoring position,” said Burle. “The last four or five innings we had a runner in scoring position. It’s a little disappointing, because we made some mental mistakes that we’ve gone over in practice.” Both teams worked through the first inning three-up, three-down. Bowling Green stranded a runner in the top of the second, while the Warriors mimicked that act in the bottom of the inning. Freshman Ben Stevens collected the Warriors first hit of the season and the first of his career to lead off the third inning. He advanced to third on stolen bases, but Warrenton again came up empty handed. “Ben looked confident in his first plate appearance and had some good approaches in his other plate appearances,” said Burle. The Warriors loaded the bases in the fourth inning. Senior Chris Hertel and Darren Hackmann walked, while junior Jordan Noble collected a single. But Bowling Green struck out Stevens to end the inning unharmed. The Bobcats put themselves on the board in the fifth inning, scoring from third base on an overthrow at first with no outs. Warrenton escaped the inning with no further damage incurred but again left the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. “When you leave nine or 10 runners on base and only give up three runs...,” said Burle. “If we pull one of those guys across early, maybe we play with a higher level of intensity and have a different outcome. Sophomore Brandon Moeller walked to lead off the inning, and senior Anthony Dewey followed with a bunt single. Bowling Green shut down the inning by tagging out courtesy runner Jordan Noble at home plate. The Bobcats generated another pair of hits to open the seventh inning, and Burle made the decision to pull starting pitcher Chad Berrey. “He was doing an okay job of locating his fastball, but he struggled with his control the whole game,” said Burle. “He got himself out of a lot of jams, with runners in scoring positions with less than two outs.” Moeller entered in relief, striking out one. Bowling Green sacrificed to advance its final pair of runs. The Bobcats made a pitching change of their own in the seventh, after Warrenton loaded the bases with one out. But Berrey struck out, and junior Jakob Junker grounded out to conclude the contest.