It is no secret that University of Arkansas Little Rock Head Baseball Coach Chris Curry loves recruiting players from the Texarkana area to play for his program.
Four Texarkana area players are currently playing for the Trojans this spring: Ben Harmon of Pleasant Grove, Graydon Martin of Arkansas High, Malcom Brown and Preston Davis of Redwater, and Pleasant Grove senior Cade Martin, who just recently signed with the Trojans to play for them next fall.
That number increased again this week when Texas High junior right-hander Worth McMillen announced his commitment to play Division I baseball for the Trojans after graduation.
Associate Head Coach Noah Sanders offered Worth last December, but it was not until this last week that he and his family had a chance to visit the campus and meet the coaching staff in person.
"We went on a visit the Sunday before I committed, and it was a great place," McMillen said. "Their facilities were nice, the players and parents were nice, and the coaches were amazing. It felt like home."
McMillen, who was coming off a huge sophomore year for the Tigers, was first seen by the Trojans last June in Atlanta, Georgia, playing for Sticks Baseball at the PBR Showdown at Lakepoint.
"Worth truly did a great job last summer by taking the role of ace for his team immediately as soon as the summer started, said Sticks Owner Chase Brewster. "He picked up two wins in the first tournament right away and really just continued to build on what was a great school year for Texas High and rolled it into a great summer.
"Coach Curry and Coach Sanders do as good of a job as any coaching staff in the country when it comes to not only recruiting but also getting the most out of the recruits they bring on campus. Worth does what a lot of kids refuse to do right now: he competes on the mound and gives his team a chance to win every time it pitches. I know he will have a great career for the Trojans once he is done at Texas High."
McMillen thinks highly of the coaches, too.
"Coach Sanders and Coach Curry are both amazing people, and I think that is ultimately what pushed me towards wanting to commit there, was wanting to play for both of them," McMillen said.
Texas High pitcher Worth McMillen pitched a complete-game victory over North Lamar, 7-0, this season at Tiger Field in Texarkana, Texas. McMillen gave up only two singles and fanned nine in the season-opening baseball game for both teams. (Photo courtesy of Texarkana Gameday)
Texas High standout Worth McMillen delivers a pitch last year for Sticks Baseball during the Perfect Game Shocker Classic in Wichita, Kansas. (Submitted photo)