By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Houston had a stellar 2021, ending the season with a 16-4 record and a second-place finish to Forsyth in the Class 2, District 4 tournament. Now they return a core of experienced players to make another run at the post-season.
“It was a solid year,” said head coach Jim Moore. “We got off to a great start, and our defense was pretty solid. That was a key to us being in a lot of games with a chance to win. Offensive-wise, our lineup was strong from top to bottom, and our team speed and being able to put pressure on other teams served us well.”
The championship game loss left Houston ready to fight for more.
“We will use that experience and how the season ended to motivate us to try to take another step forward,” said Coach Moore.
The Lady Tigers proceed without two key contributors: centerfielder Jaden Stell and first baseman Riley Scheets. Stell delivered on speed and diving plays from the outfield, high on-base percentage at the plate, and reliable base running. Scheets was a tall target who ran the infield, batted well, and served as the vocal, everyday leader. “Those two will be missed, and hard to replace,” said Coach Moore.
But Houston will also return talented contenders. “Our core up the middle, on the mound, is Aliyah Walker,” said Moore. Walker had a huge sophomore season and was named conference player of the year. Her consistent strikeouts led to 14 wins, and she is now working on a fourth pitch to add to her arsenal. “She keeps hitters off-balance and has incredible inside and outside control,” said Moore. Walker also hits in the three spot in the lineup and added six homeruns last season.
Walker pitches to Katie Chipps, junior, who is skilled at running the infield and blocking balls. “She throws out a high percentage of runners,” said her coach, adding that Chipps hits fourth in the lineup with power, earning several RBIs.
“When you have those batters returning, you are off to a good start,” said Moore.
Six-foot sophomore Kelsey Pritchett has power at the plate and is expected to have a big year. “She strides out and throws well and gives us the luxury of having a couple of pitchers,” said Moore.
Versatile players are also an asset for the Lady Tigers. Mackenzie Holder played right field last year, but the senior is also a skilled first baseman and can catch, giving the team options. Holder added some homeruns to the stat sheet last season and hits the ball hard in the gaps. “We are looking for her to have a big senior year,” said Coach Moore.
Mackenzie Bryan is a junior who could also cover first base and has a pop in her bat. “She has a ton of power,” said Coach Moore. “When she connects, it goes a long way. She will likely compete for a starting job in the infield.”
Second baseman Madi Reed started as a sophomore and fielded the ball well. “She had some big hits for us throughout the year,” said Coach Moore. “We are looking for good things out of her as well now that she’s gained more experience.”
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Senior Hannah Dzurick can pitch and throw if needed and is reliable playing up the middle for the Lady Tigers. Dzurick hit six homeruns last season and smacked a walk-off grand slam against Mansfield. “She has good hands, a good arm, and is athletic,” said Moore. “When she gets on the basepaths, she has a lot of speed and puts pressure on the defense. She has the potential to have a big year.”
Third baseman Mali Brookshire was injured part of last year, but she still had such a strong end of the season that she was named to the all-conference and all-district teams. “She was one of the reasons we went as far as we did,” said Coach Moore. Keeping Brookshire healthy will be a priority for the Lady Tigers.
Maddy Riley, junior, is an outfielder with a good arm and speed. She will help fill the void left by graduated centerfielder Jaden Stell, as will Karlee Curtis. Curtis played third base while Mali was hurt, then played left field, and will now move to centerfield. “She’s not afraid to dive with her feet and to make big plays,” said Moore. He added that she made the play of the year in the district semifinal game with a dive for the ball, resulting in a double play and an end to the inning. “She makes good plays, has speed on the basepaths, and is a table setter for our big guns,” Moore said.
Rhease Manier is a junior with a good arm that can drive the ball into gaps and could cover right field.
A core of talented freshmen will also compete for playing time.
“Our strengths include our aggression on the basepaths, and the pop in our bats that will keep the defense on their toes,” said Coach Moore. “If they want to play in too close, they will have some line shots going by them. We work on our defense a lot and expect it to be solid. You have to be crisp in the game of softball, so we strive to make the plays we are capable of making and try to make the plays no one thinks we can make.”
Houston’s home opener is against Thayer on March 22.
