Article on Huffman's Bagley & Listi

[BHFAN]

Listi, Bagley give Huffman formidable pitching staff

By TODD HVEEM

Chronicle Correspondent

If pitching and defense win championships, the Huffman-Hargrave Falcons might as well go ahead and order their state championship rings now.

The Falcons, who have been ranked among the top 10 Class 3A baseball teams in the state most of the season, are 14-3 overall and 4-0 in District 23-3A.

Huffman's three losses have come against traditional Class 3A power West Columbia, Class 5A Dobie and Class 3A state-ranked Hardin Jefferson. The Falcons opened district by shutting out Splendora, Tarkington and state-ranked Barbers Hill 6-0.

Junior Michael Listi, who has been almost unhittable for most of the season, tossed a no-hitter in the Falcons' 10-0 win over Splendora and a one-hitter against defending district-champion Barbers Hill.

"We have had some timely hitting," said third-year coach Mike McEachern, who has compiled a 51-22 mark in his first 73 games, "but our pitching has been phenomenal. I can't say enough about those guys on the mound.

"Michael Listi has pitched 13 2/3 innings in district and given up one hit,'' McEachern said. "Even I can't screw that up."

McEachern thought the Falcons might struggle a bit on the mound when senior ace Jamie Bagley, who was the District 23-3A MVP a year ago, broke his foot and had to miss the first six weeks of the season.

"You are talking about a kid who throws 90 miles-per-hour," McEachern said of Bagley. "You don't just replace guys like that."

In Bagley's absence, Listi has stepped up in grand style, and senior Scotty Smith has made the move from the bullpen into a starting role. Andy Mena, who earned the win in a 5-2 win over Liberty, and Heath Arnold have seen time pitching.

"We have quite a pitching staff," McEachern said. "I feel like we can match up with a lot of people. When you get to the playoffs, the people who win are the people who can pitch. The days of outscoring people are gone (in the playoffs)."

Huffman was 18-8 in McEachern's first year at the helm and 19-10 in 2005. But the Falcons, who finished as the district runner-up both years, lost in the first round of the playoffs on both occasions.

"This year, we are trying to get past the first round," McEachern said. "Then, we will see how things fall from there."

Huffman features a quintet of four-year starters in catcher Austin Hill, Bagley, center fielder Chris Morris, outfielder Micah Lewis and Mena, who also plays third base.

Senior first baseman Kyle Kenna and junior right fielder Zach Sipe also were starters a year ago. Huffman lost only one regular from last year's team in second baseman Andy Stein.

"Our team batting average right now is .379," McEachern said. "That is great. We also have been able to steal some bases in good situations.

"But I still think we hang our hat on pitching and defense. We turned two double plays against Barbers Hill. That really helps the pitchers out."

The Falcons also feature a pair of talented siblings in senior second baseman Jeremy Schmidt and junior shortstop Jeffrey Schmidt.

Huffman, which last won a district baseball title in the 1980s, will host Barbers Hill in a crucial District 23-3A rematch at 8 p.m. today.

"Barbers Hill is going to challenge you," McEachern said. "This will be a big game when we meet them again. If we could beat them, and win the district, we would get a first-round bye (in the playoffs)."

Bagley is scheduled to start against Barbers Hill.

"If he is ready, he will be out there," McEachern said. "He was the district MVP as a junior and our ace coming in. You don't leave him on the bench (in games like this)."