Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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I lit and Run Players balk through first half Baldwin, however, was quick to note that several people contributed to the team's and his success. Coach Coffey provided a lot of wisdom and inspiration for the team, he added. A new dimension was added to the 1981 Mustangs, Baldwin con- tinued, the home run ball. This department was led by Trey Brittain and Craig Rathjen. The Mustangs' pre-season play consisted of 4 scrimmages, 10 non- district games and 2 tournaments. In one of the first pre-district mat- ches the Mustangs tangled with Klein Forest. Iames Cook led us with his four hits, but was overshadowed by Seth Howell's outstanding coaching of first base, explained Mr. Baldwin. During pre-season, through the Spring Branch Coaches' tournament, the Mustang offense had accounted for eight home runs. As district approached, the exact winners were difficult to predict. Spring Branch and Stratford were the early picks to win the district, said Cook. The first half of district play was a Base running was an important factor in the Mustang game. Senior George Coltrin jumps for the base on a pick off attempt. Photo courtesy of the Suburbia Reporter. 134 I Varsity Baseball disappointment for the Varsity squad. We did real good in pre-district competition, but when the district race began, we just couldn't come up with it when we needed it, said first baseman George Coltrin. It was a round of inconsistency. We had trouble with consistency, explained Cook. On any given day, if we combined our pitching, hitting and fielding, we could beat anyone. The first round ended with the Tigers of Spring Woods the cham- pions. The Mustangs then began to regroup, preparing themselves for a second round run for the roses. Following a strong showing in the first games of the race, the Varsity put together back to back defeats of Nor- thbrook and Spring Woods. continued on page 136 Varsity first baseman George Coltrin leans out to grasp a routine fielding throw during the Varsity Mustangs pre-garm warm-ups versus Stratford. Photo by Doug Whitehead. Face adorned with an expression of great strain, Senior Iimmy Pickett squeaks into third base. After this game-saving play, Pickett had minor surgery. Photo by Dan Thompson. , nrwrvsase- F. .ar Q W A 5. st.. K ti ' Qi if . . 1. . Y r- im' it QM . Q - ,V aim , 1... ,W , wif .H 1,547 I , J es, KJ, Q , . , .z f,:,., V ,, N,,, N fi be it if ' V, M, f.'f is -n,,l4 ,- et kk.. I I f ' M 11- 10.4 ,Ng J nts' wi. ' i

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H it an d Run Pitching points Mustang upward Baseball has never been the big sport around the school. Football ins the prize for fan support. owever, with the football team fall- ng short of district and basketball en- ing with the bi-district game, ustang supporters rallied behind he baseball team. Early reports forecasted an ex- ellent season for the Mustangs. owever, a fumbling first round oiled plans for a district sweep. Tryouts for the team began ebruary 4. New members were 'mited because there were nine eturning Varsity lettermen. They ere Seniors David Baldwin, Iames ook, Bee Hart, Ben Heinrich, Iay Il- r, Mark Krog, Iames McCain, onald Puntch and Randy Smith. A different approach was taken in aining the players. We ran quite a it more this year than last. Speed lays a big part in the game, said oach Bill Cronin. Coach Cronin, with help from Assistant Coach Cary Coffey had the final say in the decisions. We took the game and broke it down into key basics: throwing, hitting and speed. We also looked for knowledge of the game, said Cronin, The strengths for the team were in pitching, hitting and fielding. Pitching was led by Dave Big Guy Baldwin. Baldwin amassed an awesome season record of 16-1. Baldwin contributes much of his success to his amazing split finger fastball. My split finger fastball sinks so batters hit grounders. Because my infield of Cook, Krog, Smith and Coltrin was so devastating, it made that pitch my best, he said. continued on page 134 Safe at home, Senior Trey Brittain crosses the plate on a base hit. The Mustangs defeated Stratford to move into the playoffs. Photo courtesy of the Suburbia Reporter. Power hitting was supplied by designated hit- ter, Iunior Craig Rathjen who hit a home run in the second game of the Spring Woods play-off series. Photo courtesy of the Suburbia Reporter. L.. , , . YN- L.. Qffifn , 7 ' jf X ., ' . ... Smoke steaming from his mouth, Senior Seth Howell made the most of his power hits. These hits boosted his high season into leading in home runs. Photo by Doug Whitehead. Varsity Baseball I 133

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.auf ll Flat on the ground, Senior George Coltrin hangs on to the bag after safely evading a tag on a pickoff attempt. Photo courtesy of the Suburbia Reporter. Successful ball players must constantly have their heads in the game. Varsity first baseman George Coltrin readies himself for a possible play situation. Photo by Doug Whitehead. pa' 'lu-qu .1 Leftfielder lay Iler eyes the path of the ball as he follows through a connecting swing. Through Iler's efforts, the Varsity defeated Spring Woods 8-3. Photo by Charles Kefauer. While the throw comes in, Senior Mark Krog, shortstop, dives back into the base, Runners must carefully eye the pitcher. Photo courtesy of the Suburbia Reporter. Varsity Baseball I 135