BY RANDY BYERS © COPYRIGHT 2011 Houston5ABaseball.com
In the last 23 years Coach Tom McPherson of the Katy Tigers has racked up over 600 wins and a trip to the Final Four in Round Rock in 2006 where the Tigers finished State 5A Runner up to The Woodlands. In the last decade the Tigers have also claimed 6 District Championships; so winning is nothing new to McPherson & Katy Baseball.In 2010 the Tigers experienced something new as they failed to make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. A legendary coach once told me “Every program has a hiccup; It’s how they recover in the next season that shows the true character of the Coaching Staff and players”. That statement has been ringing true for the perennial power teams in Houston
Reaching legendary status with his 600th win in 2011, McPherson has more than proven time and again that he is an A+ character guy, an absolute leader of young men in our sport. And while his programs over the years are marveled by the masses for their accomplishments, every program eventually has that proverbial hiccup.
2010 was that hiccup for the Katy Tigers but they are rolling in 2011 back atop the district at a perfect 6-0 in 19-5A. What’s more impressive is 19-5A is by far one of the premier districts in all of 5A with the Addition of Spring Branch Memorial and Strake Jesuit. So what’s the difference in the 2010 & 2011 Tigers? “This year’s team has more depth and more experience than we had the previous season”. McPherson said; “The players worked extremely hard in the off-season to improve their fundamentals and skills. Also, last season we had four very good teams in our district that I believe had their best teams they have had in several years and I know that had a lot to do with our let down and not making the play-offs”.
The highlight of the district season thus far for the Tigers has to be their 10-5 domination of the powerful SB Memorial Mustangs; a team returning the majority of their offense in 2011; an offense that set nearly every school record at Memorial to date.
So who are these Tigers leading the charge?
“Pretty much everyone on the entire team has helped lead this team to where we are at this time” says McPherson. Leading the way as far as Seniors : Colt Atwood a three year returning starter has been very solid and consistent at plate hitting around four hundred so far this season; Dillon Mazzacolli – shortstop / third baseman – he was injured most of last and did not get to play much at all, but he has come on strong and he is hitting over 400 on the season and is playing great defense; Kyle Thompson – pitcher – has been a pleasant surprise for us this season and has done an outstanding job on the mound for us posting a 5 & 1 record so far this season with an ERA of 2.29; Angel Montoya – out fielder /DH – has just returned from a broken hand he sustained the second week of the season & he has really given a boost with his bat – he is currently hitting 375. Will Wadas- is another pleasant surprise for us. He was an outfielder last season that we needed to convert to a first baseman this season and he has done a great job. He has had a hot bat for us in district play hitting 385”.
But it’s not just the seniors getting in on the act; McPherson’s Tigers are solid throughout the classes with above average performances on the mound, in the field, and at the plate.
Juniors- Pitchers- Caleb Thompson (ERA- 1.54), Dylan Gaffney(ERA – 3.19), & Jason Jones(ERA-1.42), Zane Garcia (ERA-3.11) have all been consistent on the mound and on keeping us in the game. Our catcher Cameron Friess is solid behind the plate and also has a good bat hitting 375 with 3 hr’s and 22 rbi. Ivan Garcia, 2nd baseman, a move in has also given our team a boost both at the plate (400) and in the field. Jordan Thompson, our returning starting left fielder has picked up we he left off last year with his consistent defensive play and hitting 333. Ryan Phillips – has played a key role in filling in for several of our injured players in the outfield and at 2nd base. He is hitting right at 300.
Sophs- Quinn Atwood – right fielder - Yes, another Atwood and he could possible be the best one of the bunch to come through here. He is currently hitting 368. Austin Frick – He is our utility man this season. He is our back up catcher and he has started several games for us at SS and 2nd base. Zach Wilson – Pitcher- has a couple of wins for us on the season.
While Katy is on a tremendous roll, the players and Coaching Staff know that they must stay consistent with their play throughout district competition. McPherson is well aware of the competitiveness of 19-5A;
“It is a very tough district and very even. You know the old saying, “any team can beat any other team on any given day!” I really believe this is the case in this district. It will most likely still come down to final week to determine who will make the play offs”.
So what does a coach tell his players when facing teams with the talents of a Memorial, J.E. Taylor, or Seven Lakes
With one game remaining for a clean first half sweep of the new, and very powerful 19-5A, it appears the Tigers have emphatically righted the ship and are on course for another Katy Tigers kind of season; Winning. That’s what they’ve done, and that’s what they do!
That’s Katy Tigers Baseball.
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