CONWAY, Ark. - The American Legion Arkansas state baseball tournament begins today with three games, and the Texarkana Razorbacks await the winner of the Paragould-Russellville game for Saturday's 12:30 p.m. game at Bear Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.
Bryant and Sheridan open the 10-team event at 10 a.m. today. Defending state champion Fort Smith and El Dorado clash at 12:30 p.m., Paragould faces Russellville at 3 p.m., and Cabot and Mountain Home clash at 5:30.
"One of the things we have to overcome is the amount of games (we will play), if we don't win our first two games," Texar-kana head coach Matt Riddle said. "These first two are critical from a pitching-wise standpoint. We had eighteen guys on our roster, and we lost four guys - all pitchers - due to injuries right after our final roster was submitted. So we've got fourteen guys, and our pitching is not as deep as we would like. If we don't win our first two, it's going to be an uphill battle to get back to the championship."
The Fort Smith-El Dorado winner plays Batesville at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Hogs' game at 12:30. A pair of elimination game are set for 3 p.m. and 5:30 with losers of today's games squaring off.
The Razorbacks bring a 23-9 record into the state tournament. With a win, Texarkana plays at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, but a loss sends the Hogs to the 2:30 elimination game.
The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. with the state champion advancing to the Mid-South Regional in Hastings, Neb., starting on Wednesday, Aug. 4.
"Fort Smith and Russellville will be solid teams in the tournament," Riddle said. "We faced Fort Smith in a tournament this summer, and they've got some big guys who can swing it. Bryant is always our big rival in the American Legion state tournament, and they'll be good competition, as well."