By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For Aurora head coach James Hoffman, last season’s cancellation was difficult for reasons far more important than baseball.
“Missing out on games and practices hindered the development of everyone’s programs, but missing out on those last couple of months building relationships with kids took the biggest toll on us,” Hoffman said. “We spend so much time on trivial things that we forget that we are coaching kids and a majority of those kids played their last game in the spring of 2019. There was a hole left in that portion of their life.”
The Houn Dawgs finished with a 21-6 record in 2019, falling to Hollister in the opening round of districts.
Jay Lee, Ryan Cline and Dylan Clayton depart the program as graduated seniors, with Cline now playing at Missouri Southern University.
Despite losing an entire season, Aurora does have a considerable amount of returning depth with valuable varsity experience.
“People forget that the juniors and seniors that we do have were a really big part of a team that went 21-6 two years ago,” Hoffman said. “We have lost four full-time starters since that time. We are returning 11 of those wins on the mound and some really good offensive numbers.”
Leading the way for the Houn Dawgs will be senior catcher/pitcher Carson Barr (.392 BA, 14 RBI, 11 SB, 1-0-1, 3.00 ERA), an all-conference, all-district and all-state honoree in 2019.
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“Carson did an unbelievable job for us behind the plate as a sophomore, and he led the team in batting average,” Hoffman said. “Offensively, he has shown that he is capable of putting up consistent numbers in multiple categories.”
Joining Barr will be senior pitcher/infielder Clayton Reed (6-0, 2.69 ERA) and senior outfielder Dalton Cline (.208 BA, 6 RBI).
“There is a tremendous amount of upside on the mound for Clayton,” Hoffman said. “He can throw three pitches for strikes at any time. Dalton was a spot starter as a sophomore and used primarily as a DH. He possesses good power from the left side of the plate.”
A trio of juniors round out Aurora’s returning core in pitcher/infielder Trey Mulholland (5-3, .298 ERA, .291 BA, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 2 SB), outfielder/pitcher Aaron Fisher (.294 BA, 12 RBI, 8 SB) and infielder/pitcher Jaesik Friggle (.296 BA, 13 RBI, 14 SB).
“As a freshman Trey provided quality innings on the mound and played both corner IF positions,” Hoffman said. “He also led the team with 29 RBIs.”
Fisher received all-conference honors, while Friggle was named to both all-conference and all-district teams.
“Aaron played every OF position for us as a freshman. He gets great jumps and reads on the baseball along w/ a strong accurate arm. Jaesik has incredible range and has the ability to be a big time playmaker for us defensively.”
A quartet of varsity newcomers will compete for playing time, as well, including sophomore pitcher/utility Kelton Brown, sophomore pitcher/utility Hayze Hoffman, senior utility Tony Martinez and freshman utility Heath Hoffman.
With plenty of depth to go with several new faces, there are reasons for optimism in Aurora heading into 2021.
“After missing an entire season, I don’t know how anyone couldn’t be optimistic,” Coach Hoffman said. “The bottom line is we get to have a baseball season! I am excited to get back on the field with all of our guys that are returning and the new guys that are coming out. We have kids coming back out that have not played baseball in a long time or may have not ever played competitively. They will have an opportunity to build relationships and hopefully learn a little baseball.”
The Houn Dawgs have traditionally fielded a deep and talented pitching staff in recent years, and 2021 should be no exception; however, the team’s strength may lie on the other side of the plate.
“Offensively, 1-9, I honestly think this could be the toughest lineup we put on the field,” Coach Hoffman said. “In the past we have put some really good lineups together, but there have always been some holes or some really inconsistent spots. I think teams are really going to have to pitch well and make plays to keep our guys off the bases.”
Following a March 15 jamboree at U.S. Ballpark, Aurora opens its season March 19 against Clinton in the Bolivar Tournament.
