The Texarkana Razorbacks start the 2017 American Legion baseball season with everyone knowing what they accomplished last year.
The Razorbacks won the Arkansas state championship, the Mid-South Regional title and went on to claim the first-ever World Series trophy for the state of Arkansas, battling back from elimination to win it all each time.
Texarkana opens the season Monday against the Razorback AA team in a doubleheader at Joe Blagg Field. Starting Friday, the Hogs host the 3-day Brandon Warren Memorial Razorback Invitational, which is expected to field 16-20 teams.
The theme for the Razorbacks is to get better each day and take it one game at a time.
"When we met last week, we told the guys, 'You can't worry about Shelby (N.C.), you can't worry about New Orleans, it's all on a one-game basis," Razorback head coach Dane Peavy said. "One of the things for us, going back to last season, is the mantra of taking it one game at a time, and everything's not so big.
"Now we have that huge target. We used to have that target on our back in the state of Arkansas, and now it's everybody we play. They know what we've done, and they're going to give us their best shot.
Texarkana has everyone back from last year but three-centerfielder Blake Hall, second baseman Nick Myers and closer Zac Harrington.
"All three of those guys were really good kids, all three were positive influences on our team last year," Peavy said. "They'll never be replaced, obviously, but can there be guys who step up in their stead. We're looking forward to it."
The Razorbacks, sponsored by Red River Credit Union and Texarkana, Ark., Baseball Association (TABA), return 13 players from the World Series championship team, including all of the starting pitching rotation.
"We're still missing some guys on vacations or competing in the postseason with their college team," Peavy said. "Everybody knows it's kinda hectic there at first until we have everyone out. I was pleased with our practice, defensively."
Matt Goodheart transitions from the outfield to second base for the Razorbacks. Tyler Moreland is expected to take over in center field.
John Michael Russ, another new face, will help behind the plate, as will Kade Garmany. Will Smith, who was named the George Rulon Player of the Year for American Legion in 2016, played behind the plate last year and is expected to see more time at first base and designated hitter this summer.
Pitcher Kaden Tollett is another new player for Texarkana. Coming back to work innings will be Patrick Flanagan, Austin Cross, Tanner Vaught, Hunter Lewis and Justin Swecker, who missed the end of the year last summer with an injury.
Logan Vidrine, who also plays third and middle infield, will help on the mound, also.
"Kaden is workhorse on the mound, and he's just going to add fuel to our fire," Peavy said. "He's a really good addition to our staff, and then you've got the guys who are coming back who know how to do it and what they're supposed to be doing.
"On the mound, we're better than ever. We've got a lot of arms, and they're quality pitchers."
Parker Ribble will play a corner infield position, Riley Orr is back at shortstop, and Cole Boyd will play in the outfield. Beau Burson played right field last year, and he can also give the Hogs innings on the mound.
Austin Stubber is back and will play first and also help pitching.
"The excitement's high, but we talk about keeping an even keel," Peavy said. "You've got seven guys coming back from their first year in college. The biggest key for us is keeping that same mentality we had last summer. For the most part, we'll see that, but it's keeping those guys grounded to know what they need to do and get the job done."
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2017 TEXARKANA RAZORBACKS
Date=Site-Opponent=Time
May 6=Razorbacks AA=5 p.m.
June 2-4=Brandon Warren Memorial Razorback Invitational=TBA
June 6=x-at Arkadelphia Badgers=6 p.m.
June 9-11=Phil Sandoval Memorial Tournament=TBA
June 16-19=Father's Day Classic, Troy, Alabama=TBA
June 22-25=South Carolina tournament=TBA
June 30-July 2=Independence Day Classic, Columbia, Tenn.=TBA
July 6=x-at El Dorado Oilers (Smackover HS)=6 p.m.
July 7=Razorbacks AA=6:30 p.m.
July 11=x-Bryant Blacksox=6 p.m.
July 14=Fort Smith Sportsmen=5 p.m.
July 16=x-Little Rock Post 1=3 p.m.
July 21-24=Arkansas state tournament=TBA
July 28-29=State Finals=TBA
x-Zone 4 doubleheader.