By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Houston hopes to continue its consistent winning ways behind senior standout Makinley Aaron.
Over the last five years, the Lady Tigers have had a winning record each season, posted at least 15 wins each year and in four seasons improved on their win total from the year before.
Houston has capped off its last three seasons with a district championship.
“Our athletes have bought into working on their game pretty much year-round,” coach Jim Moore said. “We are fortunate to have an indoor hitting facility that they have access to anytime they can find time to get there. Also, I feel winning breeds winning. We’ve had some success the past few seasons and our athletes know what it takes to continue being successful.”
Lilly Kincaid will assume the duties of being Houston’s No. 1 pitcher, after backing up Kelsey Pitchett last season.
“Lilly has certainly put the time into her game this off-season, increasing her velocity and fine-tuning her accuracy,” Moore said. “We believe she is going to have a big year. Along with Lilly, we have Makinley Aaron, Ava Koch, and Natalie Clinton (who) will have opportunity to spend considerable time in the circle.”
Houston’s leaders offensively and defensively are Aaron at third base and Lacey Cavaness in center field.
Aaron was an All-South Central Association co-Player Of the Year and a Class 2 All-State Second-Team pick last season. She put up monster numbers that included a .551 batting average, 20 extra-base hits in only 58 at-bats, a .942 slugging percentage, 44 RBIs and 32 runs scored. As a pitcher, she was 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA.
“Makinley was huge for us last season,” Moore said. “It will be tough for her to improve on last year’s numbers, but that’s exactly what I’m challenging her to do. She only had one error defensively last season. She will be counted on more this year inside the circle than last year and she was solid last year. I believe she is one of the better players in southwest Missouri and we are looking forward to seeing her season unfold this year.”
Cavaness joined Aaron on the All-SCA First Team last year. Cavaness hit .338, with three home runs and 18 RBIs. She walked 11 times to up her on-base percentage to .442.
“Lacey covers a lot of ground for us in the outfield,” Moore said. “She gets good jumps on fly balls and tracks down a lot of fly balls hit to the left-center and right-center gaps. She was a lead-off for us last season, but has some pop in her bat. We may look to move her down the lineup a couple of spots in hopes of giving her more opportunities to drive in runs.”
Houston welcomes back six additional starters.
“While losing Kelsey to graduation is a big loss for us, we have a huge core of players returning for us,” Moore said.
Other returning starters include Kincaid, shortstop Sophia Crites, outfielder Katy Scheets, catcher Gracyn McNiell, second baseman/outfielder Katy Evans), DP and first baseman Ashley Gilbert and outfielder Annabelle Westbrook.
Moore expects his returnees to be better, but warns starting jobs are not guaranteed.
“I expect all of these players, being a year older, to improve upon their seasons from a year ago,” Moore said. “There is going to be competition for some positions this year and these players are going to have to bring their ‘A game’ not only for games, but for practice as well. This competition should make for some intense, but healthy, practices.”
Natalie Clinton, Ava Kich and Claire Benoist will challenge for playing time.
“Natalie has been working hard in the offseason and has a great opportunity to earn a starting job this season,” Moore said. “Ava is a talented freshman (who) can play infield, outfield and pitch. She will be competing for a starting position, as well. Claire Benoist is a freshman (who) plays infield and has some pop in her bat. I believe by the end of season she will be a contributor at the varsity level.”
Moore values having competition for starting jobs.
“Our depth should be a strength,” he said. “We are going to have some competition for starting positions. It keeps everyone working hard and sharp. It also keeps our bench in the game because they have to be ready to contribute when called upon.”
Houston scored an average of 11 runs a game last season, while allowing a norm of 3.4. Moore feels the Lady Tigers have the potential to be better in the field and at-bat.
“We have to continue to improve defensively,” Moore said. “I feel like we have the potential to be as good of a defensive team as there is in our area, but we have to continue to work on fundamentals every day and not get bored with the small things.
“Offensively, we are going to face some extremely good pitching this season,” he added. “We have to be ready to buy the ball in play and out as much pressure on our opponents as possible to make plays. Baserunning is an area we will take a lot of pride in as well. Creating havoc in the basepaths is not only fun for our team, but it can frustrate our opponents.”
Houston’s home field will have a new look, with off-season work having been completed.
“We have made some field renovations, with a new backstop and new dugouts that we are very excited about,” Moore said.
Houston hosts a jamboree March 13
Moore has upgraded his team’s schedule. Houston will play in a tournament in Jonesboro, Arkansas, for the first time and will also take part in the SCA Tournament and a tourney in Mt. Vernon.
Moore thinks his team should strive for a Class 2 Final Four berth.
“I expect us to be competitive in every game we play this season,” he said. ‘We have strengthened our schedule to better prepare us for districts and hopefully beyond. We expect to compete for a conference championship, a district championship, and we have final four aspirations. We know it’s one game at a time and we will have to be at our best when our best is needed.”
