By Derek Shore
Head Coach: James Hoffman
2015-16 Record: 28-4 W-L (7-1 in Big 8 Conference play) – Reached Final Four, but lost to eventual Class 4 State Champion Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS) before winning the third-place game over Fulton
Top Players: Kaleb Baker (C), Zach Shoemaker (P/1B), Brett Schellen (2B), Preston Naylor (UTIL), Wyatt Sparks (P/SS), Matthew Miller (P/UTIL), Austin Erickson (P), Gage Singer (3B/SS), Jeremiah Fisher (OF), and Justis Mooneyham (OF)
Expectations are soaring in Houn’ Dawg country for the 2016-17 baseball season.
First, Aurora had an unprecedented spring last year, setting a program record with 28 wins while claiming their first district title in nearly two decades en route to making their first ever final four appearance in school history.
“2016 was a culmination of the effort and attitude that our kids have had since they entered the program. Our seniors were great leaders,” Aurora head coach James Hoffman said, who graduated only two seniors in Tyler Moore and Billy Meredith. “Coaches talk all the time about leadership and how important it is. Our success last year would not have happened if not for the leadership and resiliency of our seniors.
“Our seniors were selfless leaders.”
Secondly, the Houn Dawgs, who’re the No. 1 ranked Class 4 team from the MHSBCA coaches preseason poll, return an absolute dominant pitching staff that put together a remarkable team ERA of 1.55, racking up 255 punch-outs and 91 walks through 221 1/3 innings pitched in 2015-16.
In addition, Aurora will regain the majority of its offensive production with six players returning that collected 20 or more hits this past spring.
Most of the returning core is made up by a quartet of seniors and juniors, including a standout sophomore and a junior move-in who was an all-conference player a year ago.
Perhaps headlining a loaded Aurora club will be catcher Kaleb Baker. He hit .244 with 11 doubles and 18 RBI, but it’s his receiving and game-calling that’s more valuable.
“Kaleb does an outstanding job of handling our pitchers, and the success of our staff is largely in part due to the job he does back there,” Hoffman said.”His arm continues to get stronger, and his footwork gets better each year. He led us in hitting as a freshman and sophomore. He struggled the first half of last year but came on strong the last half and through the playoffs.
“Kaleb will be looked to this year for additional leadership and continue to handle our pitching staff.”
On the mound, the Houn Dawgs will be spearheaded by senior ace and all-state pitcher Zac Shoemaker, who intends to pitch at Missouri Southern after his high school career. Shoemaker, a southpaw and first baseman, went 9-2 with a gaudy 0.56 ERA and batted .265 with 18 RBI last season. He’s said to throw his fastball up to 80 mph with a curveball and changeup.
“In my biased opinion, he is the best left-handed pitcher in the area and one of the top pitchers in Southwest Missouri,” Hoffman said. “What people don’t know about Zac is that he is unbelievable defensively at first base. He saves our infielders a lot of errors throughout the year.
“Zac has also worked very hard offensively and was really hitting the ball well at the end of the year and throughout our playoff run. We’re excited to see what this year has in store for him.”
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Brett Schellen and Preston Naylor round out the returning senior class. Schellen, a second baseman, is a high-energy guy with a “motor that won’t stop” and hit in the nine-hole last year as the “double leadoff” guy. Naylor, a utility player, will be asked to split time between the outfield and third base.
Coming off an All-State season a year ago, Wyatt Sparks, a pitcher and shortstop, headlines the junior class. Sparks posted a 9-1 record with 1.98 ERA on the bump and batted .376 with a team-high 41 hits and 28 RBIs as a sophomore. The Missouri State commit is said to be able to reach 86 mph with a curveball.
“Wyatt really emerged as one of the top players in the area last year as a sophomore,” Hoffman said. “This year he’s a different player physically. He has grown and put on some size. He brings a business-like approach to the game.
“He is focused on getting better every time out. Wyatt will be in a familiar role again this year, hitting at the top of the lineup while playing shortstop and seeing a lot of mound time.”
The other juniors include all-state utility player Matthew Miller, all-district performer Austin Erickson, and Blake Williams. Miller went 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA while batting .348 with 13 extra-base knocks, 39 hits, and 17 RBI. Erickson had a 6-1 record with 2.18 ERA.
“Matthew provided good power at the top of the lineup and was extremely difficult to strikeout,” Hoffman said. “He does an outstanding job defensively. On the mound, he’s another lefty in our rotation with good run on his fastball with a good curve and change to go with it.
“Austin gets on the mound and flat out competes. He’s an extremely smart pitcher that stays within himself and doesn’t try to do things that he is not capable of. He knows what pitches he needs to throw in order to get hitters out.”
The standout sophomore is Gage Singer who was an all-conference and all-district selection as a freshman. Singer, a third baseman and shortstop, hit .351 with 10 extra-base hits, 34 total hits, and 17 RBI.
“He’s a worker and gamer,” Hoffman said. “Gage comes to the field with a purpose every single day. Defensively, his glove work and arm are well beyond his age. Offensively, he has great power. Last year, he did an unbelievable job of making adjustments in his approach from the start of the year into the playoffs. He will hit in the top half of the lineup.”
Not only that, but Aurora will also get contributions from Cassville transfer Jeremiah Fisher. Fisher, an all-conference player last year, will be in the hunt for a starting outfield spot. Hoffman said, “he possesses an above-average speed and a strong arm.”
Hoffman also mentioned senior Justis Mooneyham, who will be in the running for an outfield spot as well. Sophomore Daegan Friggle could work his way into at-bats as a designated hitter, and freshman Ryan Cline could spell Baker at catcher or play some outfield.
“We have high expectations for our kids to get better every time they come to the ballpark,” Hoffman said. “We stress focusing on competing and controlling the controllable. We don’t focus on the results, we want our kids focusing on the little things that in turn have an impact on the result.”
Aurora begins the season with the Clever Right Off the Bat Tournament, running from Mar. 20-25.
