A 2007 graduate and All-State selection of West Lincoln High School, Payden Houser went on to Tusculum College to play with former teammate Paul Finger for the Pioneers and Coach Doug Jones.  As a freshman:  Payden adapted to the college game well as he played in 34 of the teams 56 games.  During his time he hit .291 with 23 hits 5 double and 3 triples, giving him a slugging percentage of .456.  Payden scored 21 runs and drove in another 13.  Probably as important was the stability he provided to the infield committing only 5 errors in the 34 games which he played.  As a sophomore:  Payden came back with high expectations for himself, and did not disappoint.  Being the full-time secondbaseman, Payden established new career highs in most offensive categories with including 72 total bases, 10 doubles, 2 homeruns, 29 runs scored and 22 RBI's all while hitting .342.  All this was good enough to grab the attention of the coaches and media throughout the South Atlantic Conference, as Payden was selected to the 2nd team All-Confernce Team.  Payden not only had a great season on the field, but he was honored by the conference as the Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2009 for his performance in the classroom.  As a junior Payden was able to repeat his 2nd team All-Conference selection as he was...Tusculum's top returning hitter with a .404 batting average, which was eighth in the conference... Played in 44 games, including 42 starts (39 at second base and three in the outfield)... In his 151 at bats, posted 61 hits, 14 doubles, five home runs and 29 RBI... Finished second on the team with a .494 on-base percentage (9th in school history)... Walked 23 times and struck out on 19 occasions... Led the team with 121 fielding assists... 20 multi-hit games and posted a team-best 22-game hitting streak (Mar. 17-Apr. 22)... During the streak, hit .476 (40-of-84) with 27 runs, 10 doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI... Also posted a .774 slugging percentage during the streak... Tallied two or more hits in seven consecutive games (Mar. 20-30), including four of his five homers in a three-game stretch (Mar. 20-26)... Hit two home runs in a 3-for-3 performance against Anderson (Mar. 20)... Hit a home run against Limestone (Mar. 23) and another at Lincoln Memorial (Mar. 26)... In that game against LMU, went 3-for-5 and scored four runs... Tallied a season-best 4-for-6 effort at St. Andrews (Mar. 9) with four RBI... Also had four RBI against Pfeiffer (Mar. 30).   All this was good enough to earn Payden Pre-season All-South Atlantic Conference and 2nd team Pre-Season All-South Region as he begins play as a senior.  Payden was able to add to his career totals with 45 hits, including 7 doubles, as a senior.  He also had 21 Runs Batted In and 3 Stolen Bases.  Payden finished a fine career at Tusculum with several individual honors and awards.  He left ranking 11th all-time in doubles with 36 and 8th on the all-time list in base on ball with 69.  Payden also shares several Pioneer single game records including 5 runs scored in a game, 2 triples in one game, and 2 sacrifice in a game.