By Scott Vanscoy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Brent Hall starts his 20th season at Houston High School, where he has accumulated a 289-184 career record. Hall will be looking to return the Tigers to their winning ways after last year’s 5 -15 mark. Gone from last season are Trevor Motzkus, Tyler Burris, Cameron Root and Riley Cavaness. Motzkus was an All-District outfielder for the Tigers while Burris played infield as well as pitched. Root played first base and DH and Cavaness played the outfield and pitched.
“We were very inexperienced last season; our only returning pitcher had arm issues and couldn’t throw,” said Hall. “We only had 2 varsity starters back, total, from the year before. Last year’s experience for our youngsters should translate into a more competitive team and help us be better in all aspects due to our experience gained a year ago.“
This year Houston has six returning starters to the lineup. Senior Gavin Alson, a Second-Team All–Conference infielder, hit .333 with 6 RBIs and 17 stolen bases while batting leadoff last season. Also returning will be senior Nick Swanson. Swanson played 2nd base while hitting .205 a year ago and from the mound was 2-1 with a 5.62 ERA. Ty McCloud is another senior that may be back for the season. McCloud is the Tigers’ best defensive outfielder, with “go get it speed”.
Junior Braedin Groff is a third baseman/pitcher combo for Houston. Groff hit .222 as a part time starter at 3rd base and went 2-5 with a 4.87 ERA on the mound. Two sophomores round out the returning starters for Houston, Sterling Jackson and Connor Wilson. Jackson (INF/P) hit .317 and drove in 19 runs and was 1-3 on the mound with a 7.35 ERA. Jackson was named SCA All-Conference Honorable Mention a year ago. Wilson will be responsible for the catching duties this year. Wilson became the starting catcher half way through the year and the Tigers will be looking for good things out of him.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Three other Tigers played enough innings last year to earn varsity letters. Junior Brecken Adey (INF/DH/P) did a little of everything last year but played mostly at 1st base and DH. Sophomore Hunter Stilley (OF) had several starts in the outfield last year and will be in contention for a full time starting spot this spring. Jacob Koch, also a sophomore (INF/OF/P) is a versatile player that can play anywhere. With this versatility Koch has a good chance to be in the starting line up wherever the Tigers need him.
Alex Castleman and Cody Allen are two freshmen who will push the upperclassmen for innings. Castleman is a versatile player that looks to see considerable playing time both on the field and in the pitching rotation. Allen adds depth behind the plate and will push for a spot on the field. He can play anywhere on the field and has a good baseball mind.
“We have got a lot of experience with our younger players and took some lumps last year,” said Hall “but we are much better from this point on because of that. We have good young talent. We have added junior high baseball here in Houston, which should help develop talent and get us back to the tradition we have always had; a winning culture and tradition.”
