When predicting the potential success of his 2015 baseball team, Houston coach Brent Hall has more questions than answers.
“We don’t have that winning mentality in our sports programs right now,” Hall said. “How are we going to do in close games? Will we find ways to win them or will we stay in our funk we’ve been in?”
It has been a downward slide for the Tigers, who have had four straight seasons without a winning record. They are the only ones in Hall’s 17-year career.
Although the team lost its top pitchers to graduation, Hall is hopeful a veteran group that is anchored by all-state selection Tanner Cantrell can be strong enough offensively and good enough defensively to restore the roar of the program. Last year’s team nearly stopped the skid with a 10-10 mark.
“We can have a 12-15 win season easily or even better,” Hall said. “Or we could struggle. It’s going to depend on the mentality of our kids.
“We have the skill level and knowledge of the game that we are capable of winning.”
The HHS roster is led by Cantrell, who batted a program-best .591 his junior season to earn all-state recognition for the second straight season. He recently verbally committed to continue his career at Southwest Baptist University.
Also returning are senior first baseman Kolby Walker and versatile junior Ethan Kelley. Both earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year.
The Tigers should be strong offensively with the first six spots in their lineup occupied by full-time or part-time returning starters.
Kelley, who batted .283 with a .414 on-base percentage at the bottom of last year’s lineup, moves to the top this year as leadoff hitter. He will be followed by Nathan Poynter, Cantrell, Whitley Welch, Walker and Stetson Welch.
Hall said it will be important for the players around Cantrell in the lineup to produce and be on base when he steps to the plate. If not, he said it is likely most opponents will pitch around the hard-hitting left-hander, who led the Tigers in hits (39), doubles (12), home runs (4), RBIs (32), walks (10) and on-base percentage (.649) last season.
“The season he had last year was unbelievable, and he is capable of doing it again,” Hall said. “A lot of it will depend on how productive the people in front of him and behind him are.”
Walker, who had a .984 fielding percentage last year, Kelley (shortstop) and Cantrell (third base) return on the infield. Stetson Welch and Trevor Motzkus will split time at second base depending who is pitching.
Ross Wells and Scott Logan provide infield depth.
Hall said all three outfield positions are yet to be determined with Motzkus, Poynter, Kyle Wilson, Ty Wilkins, Matt Knarr and Tyler Burris battling for playing time.
The pitching staff, which lost staff aces Devin Coulter and Aaron Cantrell to graduation, will be anchored by Kelley, Poynter and Stetson Welch. Walker, Motzkus and Wilkins could also pitch.
Kelley and Poynter are harder throwers while Stetson Welch relies on offspeed pitches. Hall said all three will be in contention for innings when the team kicks off the season at 4 p.m. Monday against Cuba in the Houston Baseball Tournament.
“Our number one? We don’t have one,” Hall said. “We have about three number twos. Which isn’t a bad thing.
“Early in the season we may have to piece games together and get through with whatever we need.”
Monday’s games
Houston vs. Cuba, 4 p.m.
Cuba vs. Licking, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Salem vs. Mtn. Grove, 4 p.m.
Mtn. Grove vs. Cuba, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday’s games
Salem vs. Houston, 4 p.m.
Houston vs. Licking, 6:30 p.m.
Friday’s games
Licking vs. Mtn. Grove, 4 p.m.
Cuba vs. Salem, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday’ games
Salem vs. Licking, 1 p.m.
Houston vs. Mtn. Grove, 3:30 p.m.
Admission daily is $2 for adults and $1 for students to assist in paying for umpires.