With a chance to earn a share of the GAC North title, Warrenton was unable to hold a late lead in their 2-1 loss to St. Charles West last week. 

Warrenton (12-11, 7-3 GAC North) fell to St. Charles West in their final conference game of the season. With the loss, Warrenton finished second place in the GAC North, one game behind Winfield for the conference title. 

“We were really making a push for conference there,” Warrenton baseball coach Eric Burle said. “To me, it’s pretty remarkable because we lost a number of dudes that were supposed to be key returners. The fact that these guys kind of fought all season and put themselves in this position is pretty remarkable to be honest with you to have that chance.” 

After dropping a 13-3 decision to St. Charles West earlier last week to move into a tie with Winfield, Warrenton grabbed an early lead in the second game of the season series. Ben Peth scored on a wild pitch in the second inning to give Warrenton a 1-0 lead. Warrenton had opportunities to extend their lead early in the game. Warrenton stranded runners in scoring position each of the first four innings. 

“We had some opportunities. We’ve got some dudes that are really good hitters that came up in a couple spots,” Burle said. “It just wasn’t their day. But we had runners on most innings. We could have put pressure on them. We just couldn’t find that timely hit it seemed like.” T

Warrenton took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning, when St. Charles West scored a pair of runs. Karson Quinn’s one-out triple off of reliever Kannon Hibbs tied the game. Quinn scored later in the inning on Barrett Disselhorst’s one-out single. 

Warrenton mounted a two-out rally in the seventh inning. With two outs and no runners on base, Warrenton’s Keegan Mellegaard and Austin Haas both reached base on hit by pitches to put the tying run in scoring position. Caleb Clark grounded out to shortstop to end Warrenton’s late rally.

“We felt really good with the fact that you got two guys on and you had the top of your lineup coming up,” Burle said. “And you got some pretty good hitters. You liked your chances with what some of those guys could have done. Just the breaks didn’t fall for us that last inning. But it was good that they got a couple guys on and got some pressure on them.” 

Haas reached base four times for the Warriors in the loss. He recorded one hit, walked twice and reached on a hit by pitch. Clark reached base twice on two walks. Peth and Sam Wortham each recorded one hit. Wortham also reached base on a hit by pitch. 

Burle said Warrenton’s focus will now shift towards the end of the regular season and the district tournament.

 “We’ve got to turn that page,” Burle said. “Now the focus is using these next two weeks to get ready for districts.” 

Warrenton rebounded Monday with a 24-14 win over Duchesne, Hibbs went 4-4 with two home runs, four runs scored and nine RBIs. He also reached base on a walk. Haas also registered four hits. He scored five runs and stole two bases. Clark reached base five times with three singles and two walks. He scored four runs and had three RBIs. Mason Thompson also had three hits, including two doubles. He reached base four times. Blake Gerland and Bryce Phillips each recorded their first varsity hit. Collin Disilvister earned the win for Warrenton. He allowed two unearned runs in two innings. He allowed one hit. 

The Warriors followed up their win over Duchesne with a 15-3 win over Sullivan Tuesday. Hibbs recorded three hits, three RBIs and scored three runs. Disilvister earned the win for Warrenton. He threw four shutout innings. He struck out four Sullivan batters in the win. 

Warrenton is scheduled to host Troy Buchanan at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Saturday.