By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Houston has established itself as a consistent winner, posting 15-18 wins each of the last four seasons and capturing district championships the past two years.
But with the Lady Tigers hit hard by graduation a year ago, they will play a different kind of ball this spring, as coach Jim Moore adapts to his personnel.
“We are looking forward to the challenge of filling the big holes left by our seniors that graduated,” Moore said. “While our style of play may look a little different than the past, we have a lot of talent that has been waiting for their turn. They are eager to take the opportunity they are about to receive and make the most of it.”
Look for Houston to unleash and utilize its speed.
“We want to put as much pressure on the defense as possible,” Moore said. “Putting the ball in play any way we can will be crucial. Once on the basepaths, we will be aggressive. Speed is a weapon. (We hope to) run the bases aggressively and effectively.”
Hard-throwing pitcher Kelsey Pritchett is already proven a commodity. As a junior last season, she was a Class 2 All-State Second-Team selection.
“Kelsey is a very solid softball player,” Moore said “She is returning for her fourth year at the varsity level. She has a lot of pop in her bat and has become a very good first baseman. She throws hard and when she is hitting her spots, she is extremely tough to hit.”
Pritchett will be able to play some first base, as Katy Evans, Lilly Kincaid, Makinley Aaron and Natalie Clinton will also pitch.
Around the infield, Houston will look to a variety of starting candidates that include Pritchett, Aaron, Evans, Kincaid, Clinton, Sophia Crites, Gracyn McNiell, Katy Scheets, Ashley Gilbert and Annabelle Westbrook.
Moore is confident how things will take shape.
“We have several spots up for grabs on the infield,” Moore said. “We have several players that are good enough to compete for the starting jobs. I expect whoever wins the starting jobs to be solid defensively. I believe defense will be a key strength to this team.”
Houston’s speed will also come into play in its outfield. The outfielders will include Evans, Clinton, Kincaid, Westbrook, Scheets, Lacey Cavaness and Micah Chipps.
“We are going to have a fast outfield with players capable of running down fly balls hit into the gaps,” Moore said. “We will get better every single outing in this aspect.”
Moore expects the Lady Tigers’ new starters to continue the program’s high standard of play.
“I feel like we have a lot of work to do,” he said. “But I expect us to be very competitive throughout the season.”
Houston is hosting a jamboree March 11 against Mountain Grove and Plato.
Houston will open its season March 18 versus Steelville. The Lady Tigers will return to the Conway Tournament as defending champions.
“Our schedule is staying pretty much the same as last year,” Moore said. “It seems to prepare us well for post-season.”
