By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Houston Tigers lost three all-conference players who led the state-ranked team to a 16-4 finish, but Brent Hall returns for his 25th year at the helm alongside a core of talented players.
“We have a lot of weapons coming back this year with the majority of our team returning,” said Coach Hall. “We have a tight-knit group with a team-first mentality, which I think is our strength.”
Last season, the Tigers went 6-1 in the South Central Association to share a conference title with Ava. They lost to Licking in the district semifinal round in 10 innings, 5-4.
The Tigers graduated Alex Castleman, Trevor Mitchell, and Cody Allen. Castleman hit .509 in the middle of the lineup and pitched in big games. Mitchell was the gritty third baseman and came up with big hits and contributed from the mound. Allen was the team’s catcher and handled pitchers well, also hitting in the four-hole. “He was like having another coach on the field with his baseball IQ,” said Hall. Allen now plays at Mineral Area college.
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Houston will welcome back six battle-tested players. Garyn Hall, junior, was the lead-off hitter last year with a .356 average, 21 hits, and 13 RBIs. “He helped set the tone for us,” said Coach Hall of his son. “He set the school record last year with 33 stolen bases.” Hall was also 7-0 on the mound with one save, striking out 78 in 54 innings with a 1.15 ERA. The honorable mention all-state selection was also named to the all-SCA and all-district teams. “Garyn is very versatile and can play several positions, but will be asked to pitch and play shortstop for us this year,” said Coach Hall.
Senior Wiley Sisco will likely start behind the plate this season and is expected to log more innings on the mound. “Wiley has a live arm, which helps negate base stealers, and will be one of our power arms on the mound,” said Hall. Sisco has also served as catcher and had a .233 average and 13 RBIs in 2021.
Junior centerfielder, pitcher, and catcher Ryan Wolfe put up a .364 average, 24 hits, 16 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases last season. “Ryan is very athletic, fast, and hits for power,” said Hall. “He has a lot of tools that are a big part of what we do.” Wolfe was named to the all-SCA and all-district teams.
Danny Venable, junior, will pitch and play middle infield. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors as an infielder and hit .412 with 21 hits, 11 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. “Danny will be a major part of what we do this year,” said Hall. “He is a very gritty player who loves to compete.”
Colten Stewart, junior, is a 6’3” target at first base who also added 18 hits, 13 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and a .304 average last season. “He did a fine job for us over there last year and will be asked to do the same for us this year,” said Hall. “He is a left-handed stick with good power.”
Wyatt Hughes was 1-0 with a 1.43 ERA on the mound last year and struck out 32 in 24 innings pitched. “Wyatt will be one of our top guns in the rotation and will play infield for us as well,” said Hall. The sophomore also had a .389 average with 7 hits last season.
Newcomers include Casey Merkling, junior infielder. Casey’s time last year was limited due to injury, but he will now cover the infield and possibly DH. “He has some pop in his bat, which could be added to our lineup.”
Sophomore outfielder Aiden Kelly will be a reliable defender for the Tigers. Classmate Stone Jackson is a versatile player who will cover both infield and outfield, can hit for power, and might also DH.
Shaun Buck is a freshman move-in from Colorado who will pitch and play infield or outfield.
“We have speed up and down the lineup, which will put pressure on the other team, and a lot of pitching depth,” said Coach Hall. “Our biggest strengths are team chemistry, pitching, and speed on the bases, and our goals are to win a district title and to advance in the postseason.”
The Tigers host the Houston Jamboree March 14 and officially open their season March 28 at Seymour.
