By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Tigers closed last season in district play with a 16-win total, but now they return seven starters with Brent Hall to lead them in his 26th year as skipper.
Houston will replace graduate Wiley Sisco, an SCA all-conference pitcher, team leader, and closer with five saves. However, they bring back a core of skilled players.
Senior Garyn Hall is an infielder and pitcher who put up a 1.33 ERA and 6 wins with 78 strikeouts last season. His .492 average, 29 hits, and 20 RBIs helped him earn first team all-district honors, First-Team All-SCA pitcher and SCA Player of the Year, as well as a Class 3 First-Team All-State selection as an infielder. Hall also broke his own school record with 40 stolen bases (broken the previous year with 33). He is a versatile player and looks to be a big contributor for the Tigers in his senior season.
Casey Merkling, a 6’0” senior infielder and starting third baseman, added 22 hits and 15 RBIs with a .338 average. “He is coming off a great year at the plate and made great strides defensively,” said Hall. Merkling was a second team all-SCA selection as an infielder and will hit in the middle of the lineup.
Ryan Wolfe will serve as the everyday catcher after moving in from the outfield, in which he was an all-conference player for two years straight. Wolfe was a first team all-conference outfielder in 2022 as well as an all-district selection. At the plate, the senior had a .310 average with 22 hits and 17 stolen bases.
Danny Venable, senior infielder and pitcher, earned three wins with a 2.01 ERA last year. “Danny is a very talented two-way player for us that I see having a big year,” said Coach Hall.
Junior Wyatt Hughes pitches and plays utility. Last year, he had three wins with a 1.72 ERA, .352 average, and 19 hits. “Wyatt had a big sophomore season for us,” said Hall. Hughes was a first team all-conference infielder, an all-district selection, and named a Class 3 All-State pitcher (honorable mention).
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Aiden Kelly, junior outfielder and pitcher, will patrol centerfield and log more innings on the mound. Kelly had some big hits last year and pitched a lot of innings in relief, earning an all-conference honorable mention. “I look for Aiden to have a great year,” said Hall.
Stone Jackson is a junior outfielder and infielder with a .304 average, 21 hits, and 17 RBIs. Stone played right field a year ago and looks to take over at first base. He was chosen as a second-team all-conference outfielder in 2022.
Shawn Buck is a sophomore utility player and pitcher. “Shawn has a lot of upside as a player and will be asked to contribute more this year,” said Coach Hall. As a freshman, Buck hit .300 in limited at-bats and threw several innings on the mound, with two wins and a 3.00 ERA.
New faces to varsity include Jake Allen, junior, who could be a major contributor this year. “Jake has put in a lot of time working on his game and could see some time in the outfield or infield,” said Hall.
Junior Grayson Mitchell is an athletic infielder that could see time or move into the lineup permanently. Per his coach, he runs well and has continued to improve in the field.
Austin Goetz, senior, “looks to be slotting in as right fielder this year as it stands now,” said Hall. “Austin is a hard worker that has put in time in the off-season to better himself. He has worked to become a very dependable outfielder.”
Hall noted expectations are high for this year’s team. “Our team strengths are pitching, our togetherness and unity, and having a veteran team,” said Coach Hall. “I am looking forward to hitting the field every day with this group. We love the game and love being together.”
The Tigers will host the Houston Jamboree March 13 with Plato and Cabool. Their first official home contest is March 27 vs. Seymour.
