At the end of last year’s magical season, Houston coach Brent Hall gathered his returning players and asked them if they truly believed that they would be playing in the state championship game. The unanimous answer was no.
The odds of returning may seem significantly lower with many of the key pieces from the 2007 state runners-up gone. But after coming from nowhere to make the best run in program history, the Tigers are confident the encore season can be just as good as the original.
“These guys really believe we can do it again,” Hall said.
There are plenty of holes for Houston to plug to make it happen. Graduated are five seniors – led by all-time great Gus Durst – who all started and had been with Hall since grade school. Durst and Nathan Trentham logged every important playoff inning on the mound and were easily the team’s top pitchers.
There are still experienced players remaining. Kirk Pierce earned all-state honors as the Tigers’ clean-up hitter, Caleb Smith batted second for a lineup that scored more than 10 runs in every playoff game and David Weybright started in right field.
But there are plenty of question marks across the rest of the field. Even the returning players will be asked to tackle expanded or new roles.
“I’ve never had to deal with a team like this,” Hall said. “There are so many question marks about who is playing what spot and which spot in the order. It changes on a daily basis.”
One position that won’t change is catcher, where Pierce returns after a thumb injury forced him to play third base most of last season. Despite the injury, Pierce was one of Houston’s main offensive cogs. He batted .442 with four home runs and 34 RBIs.
Then the lineup changes begin. Smith, who caught last year, will start at third base and backup Weybright at shortstop. He’ll bat third or fourth in the lineup – a significant change from last year when he hit .297 with 36 runs and 21 RBIs from the No. 2 hole.
“He’s going from putting the ball in play and moving runners around to a guy that will be asked to have 35 or 40 RBIs,” Hall said. “It’s a new role and we’ll see how he adapts to it, but he’s definitely capable.”
Weybright takes on a similar dynamic change, moving from the outfield to the top defensive spot on the infield. He’ll also replace speedy leadoff hitter Justin Stringer at the top of the lineup. Last year, Weybright mostly batted ninth.
Hall said Weybright, who he called one of the team’s best athletes, shouldn’t have any trouble taking over for Durst at shortstop.
“It’s hard to compare him to Gus because he was a special kind of player,” Hall said. “This is my 10th year and he’s looked just as good as the majority of people we’ve ever had at short. He’s made all the plays and he’s got a good arm.”
The infield will be completed by senior Tom Oakley, who will start at first base, and second baseman Brad Pounds. Between them, Oakley and Pounds had 11 at-bats and six runs scored last year.
Junior David Foster will likely start in the outfield, where seven players are competing for three spots. Brandon Belt and Kenny Barton could play the corner positions, although A.J. Castleman, newcomer Ty Scheets, Joe Chernowsky and Chris Mooney are still in the running for starting positions.
Hall said Scheets will DH if he doesn’t play in the outfield. Castleman will also play some third.
Castleman will anchor an inexperienced pitching staff as the lone player who threw in a varsity game last season. Castleman, who was given the starting nod in situations where he could succeed, was 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA. He struck out 29 and walked 13 in 24 2/3 innings.
“We’re trying to get him to understand that his overall record may not be the best because he’s throwing against those good teams,” Hall said. “But we’re counting on him to fill that spot.”
The rest of the rotation will include Weybright, Smith and Foster, a submarine-style hurler. Pierce will also pitch in a relief role.
“I feel like we have four pretty solid pitchers,” Hall said. “A.J. is considered our best because he has the most experience.”
The Tigers open the 2008 season Monday against Thayer in the SCA Tournament. Third-seeded Houston will host the game at 4 p.m..
Despite all the lineup changes and position juggling, Hall expects another strong season.
“We may not start out as well as we like. Hopefully we do,” Hall said. “But I think by the end of the season, when it’s crunch time, we’ll be pretty solid.”