Minor High outfielder Tylan Amerson started burning up the basepaths in February, stealing three bases in a season-opening loss at John Carroll – one of the few setbacks the Tigers have suffered this season. He hasn’t slowed down as Minor heads into Friday’s second-round Class 6A state playoff series at second-ranked Hartselle.

Amerson is the new Alabama High School Athletic Association record-holder for stolen bases in a season. After swiping four bases in both wins over Mae Jemison in last weekend’s first round of the playoffs, the junior has 86 steals. The previous record was 82, held by 6A Player of the Year Josh Hall who stole 82 in 40 games at Homewood in 2018. Amerson has played in 33 of Minor’s 35 games thus far.

The 31-4 Tigers are riding a 27-game winning streak headed into the weekend’s series against Hartselle (27-7). Friday’s doubleheader games are set for 5 and 7 p.m. with a third game, if necessary, set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Hartselle’s Sparkman Park.

Minor finished 14-13 last year in Colby Lange’s first season at the helm after working with the Tigers as an assistant in 2021. “I thought we’d have a chance to compete,” Lange said of his expectations for 2023. “I expected we’d go .500 or better. I’m grateful for everything the Lord has given us the ability to do.”

The Tigers’ success is built on speed – and six hitters batting better than .450 with three over .520. “Going into the season I knew we had fast players,” Lange said. “Their 40 (yard dash) times are phenomenal! With times like these, there’s no reason anybody should be thrown out unless you’re playing against an All-American catcher. You just have to trust your instincts and trust your coaching.”

Minor has stolen 447 bases this season – the AHSAA online records page has Athens Bible’s 249 steals in 44 games in 2016 as the all-time best in the state. Amerson is 85-for-86 on the basepaths and Kareem Keye has 73 steals to lead the team. Chris Baitey has 50 steals and Ethan Bucher has 49. The Tigers have seven other players who have at least 15 stolen bases.

“I have given Tylan, Ethan Bucher, Kareem Keye and Chris Baitey green lights,” Lange said. “I told them you can steal on any pitch. I prefer it be on an off-speed pitch, but use your brain and trust your instincts and your coaches. Keep your eye on the pitching rubber, make a good decision and don’t get thrown out.

“Tylan and Kareem both stole 43 bases last season. They are my 1-2 punch in the lineup. If they get on, that gives us a boost. I trust those guys. They have started varsity since they were in the eighth grade. They play travel ball and are bred for baseball. They are vocal leaders who will get on guys if they see them doing something they shouldn’t be doing.”

Lange said Amerson had his eye on the state season record – and beyond. Hall also holds the career standard for the AHSAA and for the National Federation of State High School Associations with 224 steals. The coach said the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder has 170 steals with at least two games and a senior season to go.

“If we can keep him healthy, we’ll keep him running,” Lange said. “Tylan is very patient and he knows how to pick a pitcher. When he gets his lead, he keeps good focus on the back foot of the pitcher. If the back foot moves, get back to the base. He’s very good about knowing when they are going to deliver to the plate. When he goes to deliver, he takes off, man.”

Amerson’s season-best effort came in a 16-1 win over Ramsay when he swiped six bases. He stole five twice in blowout wins over Huffman and Woodlawn and he has stolen four five times.

The Minor staff also works to make sure the speedy runners stay alert for chances to take off. “We talk to them about ‘dirt ball’ reads,” Lange said. “They are fast enough that if the pitcher puts the ball in the dirt, throwing a breaking ball in the dirt, there’s no way the catcher can get up from his knees and be able to throw you out. Now, really good teams may have a catcher who can throw accurately enough from his knees to get you out.

“We were running and stole a lot of bases when I was an assistant,” he said. “We’re continuing the philosophy of teaching the basics and letting them have the green light if they prove they can do it correctly.”

Lange said batters one through six are expert enough to run on their own and a couple others also have had success stealing a base.

Sophomore Bucher leads the Tigers with a .576 batting average. His 48 RBIs are second to Keye’s 49 and Baitey has 42. Keye and Baitey are seniors, and they are hitting .548 and .454, respectively. Amerson is batting .522 with a team-best 77 runs scored and 29 RBIs.

Bucher is also 7-0 on the mound with a 1.87 earned run average. Keye is 7-2 in 15 appearances with a 4.95 ERA.

Tradition-rich and defending champion Hartselle has won nine state titles since 1990 – five since 1999 –and this year’s team boasts Arkansas signee Jack Smith. The 6-3, 215-pound left-hander threw a perfect game last week to oust Pinson Valley from the playoffs.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge of playing Hartselle,” Lange said. “I keep telling my guys that we’re excited for the opportunity, and we want a chance for them to play their best ball and showcase what Minor can do.

“I’m excited about the level of players they have and the knowledge that their coaches have.”