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2015 Team Preview: Francis Howell Vikings

January 28, 2015

Shon Plack and Jeff Viles
Prep Baseball Report-Missouri

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Francis Howell
Nickname: Vikings
Class: 5A
League: GAC South
Head Coach: Tony Perkins
Twitter Handle:  @howell_baseball
2014 Overall Record: 29-11
2014 League Record: 6-4
2014 Post-Season Finish: State Runner-Up
MHSBCA Preseason Rank: 2

Number of Position Players Lost: 5
Number of Pitchers Lost: 1
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 4
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3

TOP RETURNERS (Commit)
Braydon Cook, RHP, 2016
Ryan Grantham, INF, 2015
Austin Johnson, OF, 2015
Luke Kahle, C, 2016
Mason King, OF/LHP, 2015 (Truman State)
Jacob Kostyshock, RHP, 2016 (Arkansas)
Austin Nelson, C/INF, 2015
Justin Perkins, 3B/RHP, 2016
Ryan Perkins, OF/RHP, 2016
Will Whiteman, RHP, 2015 (Lindenwood-Belleville)

OUTLOOK
There is no team in Missouri Class 5 that has called T.R. Hughes home more than the Francis Howell Vikings.  The Vikings have played for the state championship three of the last four years, winning twice.  This year should be no different for Coach Perkins' crew, as they hold a #2 preseason rank in Missouri Class 5. Although they will have to replace Eli Dilday (Nebraksa) and Nic Perkins (Ole MIss), they have the fire power to return the state championship.  The Vikings will feature a talented junior class, led by Arkansas commit Jake Kostyshock.  Kostyshock is a lean 6-foot-4 150-pound RHP with a loose arm and a fastball in the upper 80's.  Junior RHP, Braydon Cook, who started last year's championship game, will be another top arm the Vikings will feature in 2015.  Cook is another upper 80's arm with pitchability and extensive varsity experience.  Justin Perkins and Ryan Perkins are two more junior returning starters.  Ryan batted .361 with four home runs and 38 RBI as a sophomore, while Justin hit .347 with a .473 slugging percentage and 15 RBI. Look for Luke Kahle and Austin Nelson to battle for the catching position and Truman State signee, Mason King to be nice OF/LHP combo.  INF Ryan Grantham will also provide senior leadership in 2015, after playing a major role in the 2014 state championship run, batting .359. As always Francis Howell will open with the Troy Tournament and the Midwest Classic in late March. They will be tested early, but make sure you keep an eye on them down the stretch. They will be a team nobody wants to see in the state playoffs. 

CLICK HERE, to see the MHSBCA Rankings
CLICK HERE, to see the entire list of 2015 Missouri Team Previews

Coaches Preseason Questionnaire

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by CLICKING HERE.

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