The Aurora pitching staff in 2015 compiled a mere 2.5 earned run average, racked up 211 strikeouts and only walked 81 batters in 161 innings.
And all of those arms are back for 2016. That is what has the red and black excited about improving on a 10-14 record in 2015. Aurora finished 5-3 in the Big 8 Conference and lost in the first round of the district tournament to Mt. Vernon.
"Our pitching was extremely good throughout the year," said fifth-year head coach James Hoffman, who has a 26-68 record at Aurora High School. "We have high expectations for this group."
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Aurora graduated just one senior from last season's team, four-year starter Patrick Wheeler.
"We lose four years of varsity experience with his departure," Hoffman said. "We will have to find someone to step up to fill his spot in the outfield and replace his power in the middle of the lineup."
Two seniors, Billy Meredith and Tyler Moore, make up the heart of a team returning 11 players who saw significant varsity action in 2015.
Meredith is a 3-year starter that brings a lot of solid tools to the table for the Houn' Dawgs.
"He is capable of putting up good numbers for us," said Hoffman. "When he is on the base paths, he is very exciting and produces runs on his own."
Moore is also an offensive threat for Aurora. Hoffman said Moore has improved his hitting each year and should drive in a lot of runs this year.
Hoffman has six juniors that all have seen two years of varsity experience already, including Kaleb Baker, Zac Shoemaker, Payton Evans, Eric Shoenberger, Preston Naylor and Brett Schellen.
Baker, an All-District 2nd Team selection is 2015, has started behind the plate since his freshman year. He has been a consistent offensive producer and his power has increased.
Shoemaker is the Houn's top pitcher and first baseman.
"Zac has done nothing but dominate hitters during his freshman and sophomore seasons," said Hoffman. "He has good command of three pitches and his velocity continues to increase as he matures."
Shoemaker was 1st Team All-District selection in 2015, as well as a 2nd Team All Big 8 Conference player.
Evans led Aurora in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs last year and will be expected to produce from the plate in 2016 the same way. Evans was a 2nd Team All-District selection last season as a sophomore.
Shoenberger, Naylor and Schellen also spent quality innings in the Aurora line-up last season and will see solid varsity play in 2016.
Three sophomores were vital arms in the pitching rotation last season as freshmen and will be expected to step up even more in year two of their young high school careers. They include Wyatt Sparks, Matthew Miller and Blake Williams.
"Wyatt made a big impact on the mound as a freshman," said Hoffman. "He moved into the leadoff spot in the lineup midway through the season and will bring that experience into his sophomore campaign."
Miller, according to Hoffman, made an immediate impact on the mound for the Houn' Dawgs, posting a 4-2 record and a lowly 1.91 ERA. At the plate, Miller put up solid numbers, especially the last third of the season.
"Blake Willaims has worked extremely hard in the offseason," said Hoffman. "He had a good summer offensively and his velocity jumped significantly since last year."
Hoffman also mentioned sophomore Austin Erickson and freshman Gage Singer as two newcomers expected to see varsity action in 2016. Erickson will see time on the mound, while Singer has the ability to play multiple positions for the Houn's.
"He (Singer) possesses power at the plate that some players don't develop until they reach their later high school years or college."
So strong arms and loads of experience should spell success for the Houn' Dawgs in 2016.
"The majority of our players have two years of varsity experience under their belts," said Hoffman. "They have worked hard and faced a tough schedule throughout their high school career. Each one of them has continued to work to get better and are not satisfied with the past."
The present for Aurora begins with the Clever Right Off The Bat Tournament March 21-26.
