Hornets end season, bring potential to '09
"They have the potential to be a great baseball team." -Head Coach Josh Curtis
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Hornet Leader Wesley Branscum is Louise's leading hitter for the season. He finished the year batting .564 with 28 RBIs while playing third base for the Hornets.

Louise's baseball season officially came to an end Tuesday with a loss to Shiner.

The Hornets fell 20-1 to finish the year 6-14 and 4-8 in district. Though the season was tough, Head Coach Josh Curtis said his team improved in every game.

"I feel that we grew as a team and that's always a positive when you're going in with a young team and then you have a lot to look forward to next year. I think, in the second half of district, our younger guys learned how to compete."

Curtis said he was proud of the way the Hornets gave strong efforts in every district game despite facing difficult opponents.

"We have one of the toughest districts in the state of Texas," the coach said. "You have Shiner, Flatonia, Fayetteville and Burton and all of those teams are unbelievable baseball programs. Our kids finally learned how to compete with them and on the level they had to play for playoff baseball.

"We saw teams that are going to make deep runs in the playoffs in 1-A baseball. The success was growing as a team and getting one step closer to where they need to be to be a successful playoff team."

Curtis was hesitant to suggest the season was all aimed at next year's improvement because of the team's three seniors.

Wesley Branscum, Kyle Tegeler and Nick Barrera all gave great leadership throughout the season.

"The senior class was unbelievable," Curtis said. "I can't put into words how much I appreciate those guys coming out to practice every day, never complaining, never giving up and playing their hardest games. For those three seniors, it shows those younger kids that no matter the situation, no matter the score, no matter what's going on, you bust it and give 100 percent every day and every play."

He recognized the seniors for showing a competitive spirit and being team leaders the entire season.

"Kyle Tegeler was the most unselfish baseball player I've ever seen," Curtis said. "He would play right field, left field, third, first or second. He would say 'yes sir' and do what he needed to do. It didn't matter where you played him, he was just happy to be on the field and he gave 110 percent every time.

"Wesley Branscum is one of the best hitters that will probably ever come through Louise. His batting average shows that he hit .564. It's not that he didn't see good pitching. He saw great pitching. He's one of the best hitters and the best leaders that we had.

"What can you say about Nick Barrera? Coming off an ACL injury in football and then being our catcher in baseball. He did a tremendous job for us. I'm so proud of Nick for rebounding, coming back and still being able to compete. Nick's a competitor."

With his first year as head coach behind him, Curtis said he looks forward to helping the Hornets to great things in the future.

"I'm definitely coming back, I loved it," Curtis said. "I had a great year. There are always ups and downs in a baseball season, but with this group of kids, I would never question coming back because they have the potential to be a great baseball team."