The 20th team Brent Hall has coached at his alma mater might be his hardest working one yet.
The veteran leader of the Houston High School baseball program said he enters the 2017 season with a roster that is united and dedicated to the game.
“The kids work hard and don’t complain. It’s really refreshing because it hasn’t been like that every year,” Hall said. “This group is the most dedicated group I’ve probably had in 20 years. They are hungry and want to get better.”
It’s a year of change for Hall and the Tigers.
Many new players step into starting roles on the varsity team and several returners are shifting positions. There’s also a new pitch count rule from the Missouri State High School Activities Association that mandates days off. And Hall also has a new assistant coach as Jeff Richardson joins the program as pitching coach.
There is a lot of uncertainty ahead, but Hall is excited about the approach his team has taken entering Friday’s season opener against Van Buren in the Eminence Wood Bat Classic.
“Our team is together. We don’t have any drama,” Hall said. “I loved my team last year, but toward the end we weren’t together as most of our teams are.”
Senior Trevor Motzkus returns as the lone player that played all 25 games last season en route to honorable mention all-conference honors. He will start in center field when he’s not pitching.
Fellow senior Tyler Burris, who started 16 games at second base, moves to third base. Junior Gavin Alston, who had 17 starts in left field, is the team’s new shortstop.
Senior Cameron Root is among a trio of players contending for playing time at first base. When he, Josh Hurst and Brecken Adey aren’t playing there, any of the three could be the designated hitter.
Two other newcomers to the starting lineup – Ty McCloud behind the plate and Nick Swanson at second base – complete the infield.
Braedin Groff and Connor Wilson, both infielders, and senior Bryan Greathouse, a catcher, provide bench depth.
Brent Hall, seen in this photo from the 2016 season, enters his 20th season as head coach of the Houston High School baseball program.
Flanking Motzkus in the outfield will be sophomore Kaleb Silveus in left field and Riley Cavaness, Sterling Jackson or Hunter Stilley in right.
Hall said players could be shifting roles game to game – especially in the batting order.
“We’ll try to piece it together every game and see what’s working,” Hall said. “If it’s working, we’ll go with it. If not, we’ll switch it up. It might be like Mike Matheny and the Cardinals last year – a different lineup every day.”
Motzkus returns with the most pitching experience after logging 25.1 innings in 2016. Burris threw five innings and Hurst went 3.1. They will be joined in the rotation by Groff, Swanson and Jackson.
“I wouldn’t say that we have an ace, but we have a lot of Nos. 2,” Hall said. “When you look at pitch count regulations, that’s not a bad thing. The teams that have the horses are probably sweating it a little bit. For teams like us that have a lot of throwers, it could be an advantage.”
Despite entering a new year with an inexperienced team, Hall said he is hopeful the 2017 campaign will be a successful one.
“I don’t know how good or bad this team will be,” he said. “But I know they like to work, and I’m pretty confident in my skills to get a team ready.
“We could definitely be a contender in the conference and district. Wherever that ceiling is, I think we’re going to get there. Our team will be scrappy and fight. They won’t give up.”
3/17 Eminence Wood Bat Classic vs. Van Buren (4:30)
3/20 Houston Tournament vs. Cuba (4:00)
3/21 Houston Tournament vs. Licking (6:30)
3/23 Houston Tournament vs. Mountain Grove (4:00)
3/24 Houston Tournament s. Salem (6:30)
3/27 Seymour (4:30)
3/29 at Stoutland (4:30)
3/31 St. James (4:30)
4/3 Liberty (4:30)
4/6 Cabool (4:30)
4/8 Plato Tournament
4/10 at Ava (4:30)
4/13 at Willow Springs (4:30)
4/17 at Salem (4:30)
4/20 Mountain Grove (4:30)
4/22 Houston JV Tournament
4/24 Thayer (4:30)
4/25 Summersville (4:30)
4/27 Licking (4:30)
4/28 Dora (4:30)
5/1 at Hartville (4:30)
5/4 Busch Stadium game vs. Heritage, Ill.
5/5 Plato (4:30)
5/6 at Rolla JV Tournament
5/9 at Mansfield (4:30)