Rose, Browning standout in a stacked team and a successful year for Pleasant Grove

By Rick Thomas

TEXARKANA, Texas — Pleasant Grove baseball coach Riley Fincher says the Hawks’ success on the diamond this year has been a total team effort.

“Everyone has contributed,” Fincher said to be politically correct. “I don’t want to single any one or two guys out, but the entire team and what they bring to our program.”

But two juniors, Hunter Rose and Spencer Browning — both University of Arkansas commits — have been the biggest catalysts to Pleasant Grove’s quest for a fourth Class 4A state baseball title.

Fincher has guided the Hawks to a 35-4 record, including a 10-0 run in the playoffs. They have clinched a spot in the Class 4A, Division 1 state championship game at noon Friday on Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. Their opponent will be Corpus Christi Calallen (33-2). This was the powerhouse Hawks' 11th state tournament appearance and 10th since 2008.

Although Rose and Browning have sparked the PG prowess on the field, both credit their teammates.

“I think everyone on the team has had several outstanding moments this year,” said Rose, the left-handed ace of the Hawks' pitching staff. “But I think something that really brought the team together more was when (designated hitter) Ty Boozer was cleared to hit again.

“To see him come to practice every day with the best attitude on the team just made that moment 1,000 times better.”

Browning (6-1, 195-pounder), a shortstop and right-handed pitcher, also credits teams.

“Jarret Halter is a DUDE, he has been a huge leader for us and a great hitter to have in the leadoff spot,” Browning said. “I also love turning double plays with him.

“Jace Elrod is one of the best players on this team because of the way he plays the game and the way he’s able to impact it on defense and offense. He’s probably the most clutch player on the team for sure.

“Buck Anderson is also a dawg behind the plate. He’s always striving to get better, and he’s been a big contributor for us in the playoffs.”

Fincher doesn’t have superstars on his team.

“We’ve just got a great group of guys who play really well together. It’s a dog fight every time we step on the field,” Browning said. “Playing for each other is the biggest key to our success so far.”

The Hawks have worked hard and they’ve earned their accomplishments, he said.

“I think hard work is definitely paying off the shortstop-pitcher Browning said. “Everybody on this team has worked their butt off to put us in the position we are in right now.

“We want to make it where other teams fear to play us. And I feel like we have done a pretty good job of that so far.”

The Hawks are confident, and not arrogant, that they can beat any team they play. 

“I think that we can beat anybody because we have a lot of talent on our team,” Rose said. “But it wasn’t just handed to us. We have worked extremely hard all year to get to where we are, and we plan on going all the way.

“We practice hard every day, and we’re not just playing for ourselves, but we’re playing for our teammates.”

Rose has been dominant on the hill this postseason, tossing a no-hitter against Caddo Mills and fashioning a 1-hitter against Seminole in Thursday’s 9-0 victory. He’s won every game he’s started in the playoffs, and he’s also had some clutch hits, including a game-winning homer and run-scoring triple to put the Hawks ahead.

The 6-1, 170-pounder said he doesn’t know any of his stats, either pitching or hitting.

“I have no idea what any of my stats are, but I feel like I have had a pretty good year all around,” Rose said. “I think it helps being left-handed because it gives a different look than what (batters) are used to seeing.”

Rose said his fastball has been clocked around 90 mph, which makes it even harder to hit his changeup, which dips into the 60s.

Rose’s pitching record is 9-1, his only loss coming to city rival Liberty-Eylau. His earned run average is under 2.00 on the year, which includes a minuscule 0.8 in the playoffs.

Rose said he thought he’s thrown a combined 6 no-hitters and 1-hitters this season.

“I usually come out of the game with 1 or 2 outs left so other pitchers can get reps, so I guess technically they are combined 1-hitters, but it’s usually through 6 2/3 innings,” said Rose, who handcuffed Seminole to one hit in Game 1 of the semifinals. He gave up a line drive into right field in the last inning on a hot and muggy Frisco day.

Rose is his team’s top hitter with a .430 average, driving in 37 runs. A total of 22 hits have been for extra bases.

His speed and strong arm have helped him in center field.

“What makes our defense so good is that we aren’t scared to go mess up, and it allows us to make plays,” Rose said. “We go out there and there isn’t pressure, we just love to go out and have fun.”

The PG coaches stress pitching and defense, Browning said.

“It’s just the work we put into our defense every day at practice,” said Browning, the anchor in the infield. “It’s constant ground balls for the infielders and fly balls for the outfielders. 

“Coach Fincher and Coach (Joe) Pearlman are really good about telling us everything we need to know to be successful in the field.”

Browning has a hefty .347 batting average with 34 RBIs. He’s also the Hawks’ No. 2 pitcher with a 6-0 record and an ERA around 2.00.

“I don’t really keep up with my pitching stats during the season,” Browning said. “I just know every time I go out there and throw, I know I can trust the guys behind me to make every play.”

Pleasant Grove is batting .330 as a team. Other leading hitters include Halter (.417), Elrod (.355), Anderson, and West (both .330).

Rose and Browning are quick to point out that Fincher is the guiding force behind the team’s amazing success.

“Coach Fincher is an outstanding coach. He can be very hard sometimes and correct you when it is needed, but he can also connect with you and be one of your best friends,” Rose said. “He has helped me grow tremendously, and we are lucky to have him as a coach.”

The coaching veteran led the Hawks to their third state baseball championship in 2021.

“Coach Fincher is a great coach who firmly believes in every single one of us,” Browning said.”He’s super positive and is always there for us when we need him. He’s helped grow this team in so many ways, and now we are going to go repay him with a state title!”

Rose has additional praise for his coach, who is a strong motivator, he said.

“I think that having an amazing coach like Coach Fincher helps bring a team together and make it to state,” Rose said. “The teams that are the closest together can become strong and go all the way, and Coach Fincher does a great job of doing that. And it would mean everything to us to win the state championship because that’s been the goal from the very beginning.”

Baseball is a special game to Rose.

“I just love that I get to wake up every day and go out on the baseball field with my best friends and compete for a state championship,” Rose said. “This season has been a lot of fun.”

Browning said state baseball titles go through Texarkana.

“It runs through Texarkana just because of Pleasant Grove and Liberty-Eylau always being there,” Browning said. “Winning it would be such an awesome feeling to share with the team and the community.”

The Hawks have enjoyed tremendous fan support this entire season, Browning said.

“I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without my parents, teammates, and coaches,” he said.

“Thank you to the Pleasant Grove community and everything you’ve done for this team. 

“Let’s go get this ring!”