By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Houston Tigers peaked at the right time last season with their veteran team featuring eight starting seniors, although most did not have much experience at the varsity level. The Tigers won their district and ended in sectional play with a 14-9 record. Houston will once again put in the work to be successful as they feature a new starting cast.
“We should have several seniors on the field, which should be a strength,” said head Coach Brent Hall, who is in his 27th season at Houston and with 378 career wins. “Although several of them have not had varsity experience, they know what I expect and should have a plan of how to go about things.”
While last year’s pitching “was our strongest suit” per Coach Hall, the cupboard is not bare due to graduation: Shaun Buck, senior pitcher and infielder, is the team’s only returning letterman. Shaun’s junior season featured a 1.87 ERA and .255 average along with 16 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.
“Shaun will be our ace on the mound,” said Hall. “He is going to play at the next level at Missouri State West Plains. He will be asked to do many things and play at a high level this year.”
The rest of the team will be composed of newcomers to varsity. “We have several guys that have worked really hard and stuck through it in our program to wait their turn to be an everyday player,” said Coach Hall. “That is hard to do in this day and age because most kids would have given in before now, but we have several that haven’t.”
Senior John Jordan (6’3”) should serve as the team’s third baseman. “John is a hard-working kid that has waited his turn to take the varsity field,” said Hall.
Caiden Root, 6’ senior, is described as a versatile player that can play anywhere on the field, but will be asked to catch and pitch this season. Coach Hall expects Caiden to have a strong senior season.
Logan Dixon is a 6’ senior who will play first base and DH for Houston. “Logan has been in the program for four years and should know what it takes to be successful in our program,” said Coach Hall.
Kolby Sisco, senior, 6’, is a versatile player that could play in the outfield, infield, pitch, and catch. “If Kolby stays focused, he can be a big part of what we do,” said Hall.
Aiden Scantlin, junior, will pitch and play middle infield. “This kid loves baseball and I look for big things from him this year,” Coach Hall said.
Evan Edwards, sophomore, will be playing outfield. Coach Hall said, “Evan has made great improvements since last year and is a hard-working kid.”
Sophomore Aaron McCarthy will play the outfield and first base and pitch as well. “Aaron is a team-first guy and a great teammate,” said Hall.
Ethan Carter, 6’ sophomore, “is one of the hardest working kids we have,” said Hall. “Ethan can play infield and outfield and pitch some for us as well.”
Jackson Morgan, freshman, could see some playing time in his inaugural season. “He has the ability to make the lineup and will most likely be in the outfield for us,” said Hall.
Coach Hall is excited about his team. “We will be inexperienced in many spots on the field this year, but I believe we will continue to grow and get better every day,” he said. “We have a high standard in our baseball program here that generations before laid the foundation of and we will stick to that blueprint. We have had a few younger guys that have put in the work. I’m anxious to see just how much their hard work pays off.”
The Tigers will host a Jamboree with Cabool and Plato on March 17 and host their home opener against Mountain Grove on April 14.
