Houston’s Seals off to hot start after switching to shortstop
Houston‘s Pierre Seals came up to bat with the game tied at three and a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh inning against rival Collierville Thursday night.
But the Dragons intentionally walked him.
Houston coach Lane Mccarter said that’s what he would have done if he was coaching against Seals in that situation. The 6-foot, 185 pound senior came into the game hitting .444 with 15 RBIS. He leads the area in home-runs (3) and runs scored (21).
“He’s unbelievable. He’s been so good,” Mccarter said. “It’s really amazing the numbers he’s putting up. It was a no-brainer right there, they might’ve put him on with a runner at first, he’s been so good in that situation this year.”
Houston (15-2) eventually loaded the bases and picked up a 4-3 win over the Dragons (14-3) on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Yearwood.
“It was a good regular-season win, that had the intensity of a playoff atmosphere,” Mccarter said. “And I think a lot of that has to do with not having last year. A little more excited about baseball than maybe ever before.”
Seals, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior switched to shortstop this year after being a first-team All-metro selection as a center fielder in 2019.
“I always grew up playing everywhere and I’m comfortable anywhere” Seals said. “Outfield, infield, pitching, catching, I can do anything.”
Mccarter said Troy and Kennesaw State are recruiting Seals, along with almost all of the area’s junior colleges.
“It’s going pretty good,” Seals said. “I’ve been hitting pretty good and schools have been keeping in contact with me.”
Seals said he focused exclusively on baseball until this year, when his dad finally let him play football.
“I started off playing quarterback but then I played slot receiver,” Seals said. “I always wanted to play and my dad wouldn’t let me freshman through junior year and he finally let my play senior year and I just wanted to have fun. He was just like ‘OK’ all of a sudden. And I was happy.”
Seals has been starting for Houston’s baseball team since his freshman year. Mccarter said his experience has been key for the Mustangs.
“He’s been in these spots so many times,” Mccarter said. “He has a very good awareness of the plate. He knows his swing, probably too good. He’s just been there and done that. And he’s as close to a five-tool player as there is in this area.”