Beefed-up schedule helped prepare Tigers

~ Central will have its hands full with Howell Central in sectional.

Only one school in Missouri owns more state baseball playoff wins than Central.

Yet despite all of the Tigers' playoff success, it has been six years since they last had an opportunity to add to their win total. Central ended its district title drought with a win over rival Jackson on Friday, and now Central will take a crack at state playoff win No. 40 today in the sectional round.

The Tigers will host Francis Howell Central at 4 p.m. today.

"It's exciting for our kids, our staff and for everybody," Central coach Steve Williams said. "This is where you want to be when you start the season. We have a chance. We're one of the final 16 and that's all you can ask for."

Central is a senior-dominated team, with nearly all of its key hitters and pitchers making their final appearances in a Tigers uniform. After years of near-misses and disappointment, the seniors will have their chance to make a playoff run.

"We're all excited to finally get here," senior Eric Ennis said. "We've been waiting for this our whole lives. We just want to put on a good show for our fans, and hopefully make it through."

Added senior Tyler Propst: "If we stay together and play as a team, we can definitely do it. I think right now we've been playing probably the best we have all season."

The Tigers have nearly doubled their loss total from last year's squad after beefing up their schedule. Central finished its season 20-6 last year, winning the regular season and conference tournament titles.

This season the Tigers head into the sectional with a 17-10 mark. Central fell to Jackson in the SEMO Conference tournament semifinals but was able to avenge that loss in the district tournament.

"I'd definitely say it was a little different season," Williams said. "We played a much tougher schedule on purpose. We played some teams that were really good that put our kids in situations so we'd be ready for those types of situations [at the end of the year]. Hopefully it did that."

By ending their district title drought this season the Tigers will finally give ace Brad LaBruyere a chance to show his stuff on the big stage. LaBruyere has been one of the area's top pitchers each of the last three seasons.

"That's what we've been looking forward to," Williams said. "Hopefully he's on and has a good game for us."

Senior shortstop Blake Slattery has been the spark in Central's offense this season. Slattery is hitting close to .500 and also leads the team in doubles, triples, home runs and RBIs. Starting catcher Alex Shell is hitting close to .400 while seniors Matt Hester and LaBruyere are also hitting over .300 for the Tigers.

Central's offense will likely be challenged by Howell Central ace Brad Bira. Bira has thrown a team-high 43 innings with a 2.12 ERA and four complete games.

"Runs will be at a premium so hopefully our kids can perform offensively like we have been so we can get some runs on the board and get a lead," Williams said.

Denny Lawler leads a balanced Howell Central (16-9) lineup with a .403 average. Eight different players have at least 10 RBIs. This is just the third trip to the state playoffs for Howell Central, which also made its last appearance in 2000.

The winner will play Saturday in the quarterfinals.

"I think if we play our game it doesn't matter who we're playing," Propst said.