Magnolia baseball enters this season feeling there’s unfinished business ahead.
“Definitely, there was a lot left on the table,” Bulldogs coach Taylor Shiflett said. “You expect more out of our season last year. I think they were a little upset about it.”
Magnolia went 24-11 overall, 12-2 in District 19-5A. After claiming the district championship, the Bulldogs advanced to the playoffs for the 12th straight time. But they fell in the bi-district, and a feeling of emptiness set in.
With 18 seniors this season, Magnolia is ready to right the ship.
Senior pitcher Connor Pratka is the team’s ace. He was a second team All-District choice last year. Senior designated hitter Kyle Beckstead and senior shortstop Tyler Middleton earned first team All-District honors.
Senior center fielder Garrison Hefner and senior right fielder Mason Kolar are veterans in the outfield. Senior catcher Cameron Henson, senior first baseman Blake Casey also return, as do junior second baseman Jordan Miller and junior relief pitcher Troy Peters.
The Bulldogs lost two starting pitchers and an outfielder who were All-District selections.
“It’s kind of one of those things we’re trying to replace their presence on the mound,” Shiflett said. “We’re experienced as far as knowing what to do on the baseball field. If we get guys going up there on the mound and not walking people and throwing strikes we’ve got a chance to be successful again this year.”
The goal every year for Magnolia is a district title.
“Team chemistry, I think that’s going to be one of our strong suits this year,” Shiflett said. “We’re mature. With 18 seniors, that gives you a lot of experience out there. They won a district championship. Now they’re coming back and trying to do the same thing.”
The Bulldogs open the season at the Barbers Hill Tournament Feb. 24-26. After a big district opener against rival Magnolia West on March 1, they play in the Montgomery Tournament March 3-5 when they will see No. 3 Katy Tompkins. They meet Magnolia West again March 8 before wrapping up tournament play March 10-12 at the Tomball Tournament, where a date with No. 9 Tomball awaits.
“We play very good top competition,” Shiflett said. “It gives us an idea of where we stand against these guys. It also gives us an idea of where we are as a team. A lot of the teams we play have guys that signed with Division I schools. I tell the guys, ‘You can still compete and win if you go out and play good baseball.’ Baseball is the only sport you can do that.”
With the addition of Katy Jordan to the district, the Bulldogs will have some Saturday games in the nine-team league.
Magnolia will lay its hat on its defense and team speed.
“We still have to prove we can hit,” Shiflett said. “There’s a lot of strong pitchers in our district, with some of those guys coming back that we’re going to have to figure out how to produce runs off, and have our pitchers keep us in games.”
This year, the Bulldogs committed themselves to 5:30 a.m. workouts. For 24 weeks, they gathered in the early dark hours to hone their craft.
“They’ve shown up every morning at 5:30 a.m. to go to work and compete against each other,” Shiflett said. “You’ve got to have some team chemistry. We’ve got a great group of kids. They work hard together.
“Our motto this year is ‘Refuse to Lose.’ We’re going to compete every inning, no matter how far we’re down. We’re just going to keep battling.”
Jim McCurdy is a freelance sports reporter.
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Magnolia has bitter taste in mouth after early exit last year - Beaumont Enterprise
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