The Rebuild of the Lady Warriors Softball Program

Author/Editor: Connor Hurst

The Lady Warriors just finished 4th in the District 4 Championship tournament, bringing back state hardware to Warrenton for the first time in six years. After winning the 2015 and 2016 Missouri State Softball Championships, it took the Lady Warriors six years to find themselves back in Springfield. The team, led by First Team All Conference third baseman Mackenzie Hurst (senior) and the GAC North Player of the Year Kylie Witthaus (junior), finished their historical season 16-10, ranked fourth out of 84 District 4 teams. This was an underdog story as the team was .500 through 10 games. “After that loss (to Orchard Farm), a new fire was fueled. I always knew the talent was there, but it was the want. After that game, the girls came out and showed that they wanted it more than any other team,” commented senior manager Connor Hurst. “I’ve never been a part of a culture like this; we’re more than a team, we’re a family.”

After the 2020 season came to a wrap for the Warriors, many spectators expected a complete rebuild of the program, and to not compete at a high level for years to come. The Lady Warriors lost six starting seniors following that 2020 season, when they finished an incredible 17-6, but were knocked out in the second round of districts in a 7-1 loss to Warrensburg. . . (Click to continue)