Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

2017 Team Preview: Aurora Houn Dawgs

February 10, 2017

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

As  we  prepare  for  the  upcoming  2017  high  school  season,  we  will  be  taking  a 
preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.


Team: Auora HS
Nickname: Houn Dawgs
Class: Class 4
Conference: Big 8
Head Coach: James Hoffman
Twitter Handle: @Coach_Hoffman1
Years as head coach at school: 6 years
2016 Overall Record: 28-4
2016 Conference Record: 7-1 (T-1st Place)
2016 Post Season Finish: 3rd Place in Class 4
Preseason Rank: #1

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 7

Player with 2016 Post Season Honors

Zack Shoemaker, LHP/1B, 2017, 1st Team All State (Missouri Southern)
Wyatt Sparks, RHP/SS, 2018, 2nd Team All State (Missouri State)
Matthew Miller, LHP/OF/1B, 2018, Honorable Mention All State
Austin Erickson, RHP, 2018,1st Team All District
Kaleb Baker, C, 2017, All USA Ozarks
Gage Singer, 3B/SS, 2019, 2nd Team All District

Players to Watch
Jeremiah Fisher, OF/P, 2018
Ryan Cline, C, 2020

Season Outlook
Scoring runs against the Aurora Houn Dawgs wasn't an easy task for opponents in 2016.  The pitching staff posted a 1.55 ERA on the season while fanning 254 batters in 221 innings.  Aurora set a school record for wins with 28 and went to the first Final Four in school history last season.  The Houn Dawgs enter the 2017 season as the number one ranked team in Class 4.  Seems fitting since they return seven position players and four pitchers from last year's record setting team.  Senior LHP Zack Shoemaker (Missouri Southern) and junior RHP Wyatt Sparks (Missouri State) will be at the top of the rotation, both earned All-State honors in 2016. Also watch for junior RHP Austin Erickson, a 1st Team All District selection last year, to have another big spring.  Senior C Kaleb Baker deserves credit for handling the 2016 record setting pitching staff and will provide valuable experience in 2017.  Junior UTL Matthew Miller will contribute all over the field, including the mound and was selected to the All-State team as DH/Utility player as a sophomore.  Watch for one of the state's top sophomores build on his freshman campaign.  Gage Singer earned All District selection as a freshman, will see time at third base and shortstop.  The Aurora Houn Dawgs have the talent and experience to break the records they set next year and bring a state championship back to southwest Missouri.

CLICK HERE, For a complete list of Missouri 2017 Team Previews

High School coaches can request a 2017 Team Survey by email PBR State Director, Shon Plack at, [email protected].

For More PBR NEws