Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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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

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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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Hit and Run Cronin crew storms into pla offs The Mustangs never trailed the Raiders as the Big Red opened the scoring with a single run in the first. Following a Northbrook run in the second, Rathjen scored in the third to put the Mustangs back on top, but the Raiders rallied again in the fourth to knot the score. Iler's two-run homer in the fifth put the Ponies on top for good. Nor- thbrook added another run in the sixth but it was all for naught. A five- run seventh inning rally sealed the fate of the Raiders and sent them home, nine to three losers. lay Iler's adept fielding and overall team leadership continued to be a key factor in the team's success, noted Baldwin, again quick to praise his fellow stars. a tie for first place. On the other side of the tie was Stratford. The Mustangs moved into a three game playoff with the Spartans. Stratford was a good team. They had originally been picked to win district. We knew it would be a rough series, said outfielder Ricky Roberts. In the three game series, the Big Red took the needed two victories from the Spartans and headed towards a final showdown with Spring Woods. The Mustangs rallied to within one, but in the final inning the Woods' pitching shut the door on the Mustangs and their hopes of a district titlelif by Doug Middlebrool-is and Bud Thomas As the round drew to a close, the . lVftlSIaI1gS f0l1nCl themselves tight in Shortstop sensation Senior limmy Pickett watches a fastball sail high. Pickett was not only excellent at bat, but was the backbone of the infield. Photo by Charles Kefauver. the thick of things. Final victories over Spring Branch put the Ponies in Wound up and ready to rip, Senior David Baldwin warms up before a district playoff game against Spring Woods. Baldwin lost only one of his 14 games. Victories in the Spring Branch series put Memorial in a first place tie with Stratford. Senior Ben Heinrich crosses the plate. Photo courtesy of Suburbia Reporter. 136 O Varsity Baseball