SHERMAN, Texas - After serving as the head coach in an interim capacity in 2022, Shawn Counts takes over the Austin College baseball team full-time in 2023 and will be looking to lead the 'Roos up the rankings in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
The 'Roos return a strong core of both field players and experienced pitchers, and the program welcomes in one of the largest recruiting classes in Austin College baseball history in 2023. Counts will be leaning heavily on a talented young nucleus both on the mound and in the field, with pitcher Trystan Mallory back to head up the starting rotation this season. Last year, Mallory made an early splash with 13 appearances, including three starts, notching 24 strikeouts in just over 35 innings of work.
He'll be joined in the rotation by a pair of seniors in Justin Lambright and Garrett Gray. Lambright started six games for Austin College in his first season with the 'Roos, recording 19 strikeouts in 32 innings of work. Gray, who began his career with the 'Roos as an outfielder, completes his transition to being a full-time hurler after making 11 appearances with four starts last season. A year ago, Gray picked up one win on the mound while striking out 14 batters in 26 innings. The 'Roos also feature plenty of experience in the bullpen, including senior Max Danielsen and juniors Zack Czarnecky, Ethan Baker, Ethan Nixon, and Kurtis Gustafson. Czarnecky, who came to Austin College as a utility player, finished 2022 with a 2.63 earned-run-average in 24 innings of work, striking out 15 batters in relief.
Sophomore infielders Mason Woodhouse and Scott Hosmer return after impressive collegiate debuts last season. Both players earned All-SCAC recognition a year ago, with Woodhouse finishing the season batting .321 with four doubles, two triples, and a pair of homers, while Hosmer hit .309 with six doubles, three home runs, and 24 runs batted in. Also returning to help out at the dish this season is senior Logan Ballard, who batted .383 in 28 games last season, finishing the year with six doubles and 14 RBI. Junior Jake Trapani, who earned All-SCAC honors as a pitcher his freshman season, made the switch to first base last year and proved himself more than capable at the plate with a .342 batting average, adding three doubles and a home run.
The outfield will be anchored by senior centerfielder Branson Vrazel, who batted .298 while driving in 12 runs and stealing 17 bases. Brandon Hill is another experienced outfielder, as the junior batted .306 in 34 games last season with five doubles and 12 RBI. The team also brings back several players with experience behind the plate, as catchers Beau Beshires and Walker Davis saw plenty of action in 2022, appearing in 18 and 13 games, respectively.
Austin College opens the season on the road on February 15, when they head to Longview to take on LeTourneau University.