When taking a walk in Missouri, it’s hard not to break a sweat. Temperatures are regularly in the high 90s, and the humidity adds to the sweltering heat.
Some Tiger athletes have found a unique escape from the harsh midwest sun: summer baseball. One of these athletes is Trey Harris.
Harris, a rising junior, is playing for the Harwich Mariners in Massachusetts, where the temperature rarely reaches 75 degrees. The Mariners are a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League, widely considered the nation’s top summer league.
The temperature isn’t the only difference between the Cape and Missouri.
“It’s for sure a different atmosphere,” Harris said. “Guys are a lot more competitive, but they don’t show it by what they say. They do it by how hard they play.”
Harris has helped the Mariners to a 5–0 start, appearing in four games. The Powder Springs, Georgia, native has collected three hits, a double and has driven in three runs. He is currently hitting .200.
The Mariners team features players from powerhouse schools like Florida, Vanderbilt and Virginia. Harris hopes to gain leadership skills by playing around high-level talent.
“Some of these guys, they’re Friday night starters since their freshman year,” he said. “So I want to see what their competitive edge is.”
Missouri has baseball players competing all over the country this summer. Tanner Houck is a member of the Collegiate National Team, and five Tigers are currently in the New England College Baseball League.
**Update on other Tigers’ summer experiences:**
Robbie Glendinning, Cape Cod Baseball League (Wareham Gatemen): The junior college transfer is currently listed as a temporary contract player on the Wareham roster. The Australia native has worked his way into two games for the Gatemen. He has a double in three at bats.
Bryce Montes de Oca, Cape Cod Baseball League (Falmouth Commodores): After pitching for Falmouth last season, Montes de Oca is currently recovering from an injury and is not yet on the Cape.
Brett Bond, New England Collegiate Baseball League (Mystic Schooners): Bond, a catcher going into his junior year, has a played in five of six games for the Schooners. He is hitting .231 with two doubles.
Johnny Balsamo, New England Collegiate Baseball League (Plymouth Pilgrims): The rising junior has appeared in three games for Plymouth, reaching base in each of his outings. He’s currently hitting .600 with three singles and two walks.
Cole Bartlett, New England Collegiate Baseball League (Plymouth Pilgrims): Bartlett has started one game at pitcher for the Pilgrims. The rising junior threw four scoreless innings, striking out seven batters. He was named to the league’s weekly honor roll for his performance and is the team leader in strikeouts.
Brian Sharp, New England Collegiate Baseball League (Plymouth Pilgrims): After a solid freshman year for the Tigers, Sharp has gotten off to a fast start in New England. He is hitting .316 with an on-base percentage of .500.
Liam Carter, New England Collegiate Baseball League (Valley Blue Sox): Carter has pitched in one game for the Blue Sox. The rising sophomore tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Tanner Houck, Collegiate National Team: For the second straight year, Houck will represent the U.S. on the Collegiate National Team. The team is scheduled to play in Taiwan, Japan and Cuba. The rising junior is considered a top prospect for next year’s MLB Draft.