Bulldogs get ready for 2017 season
The Texarkana Bulldogs are young but ready for the challenges of the 2017 American Legion baseball season. So far, the Bulldogs are 3-0 this season.
“Our goal is to bring home the state championship,” Bulldog head coach Kevin Sutton said. “Our team is young, but we also have some veteran players who will provide leadership and experience.” The junior Bulldogs
of last year are the foundation for this year's squad, who won the American Legion Texas state championship in 2016.
Returning players from last year's junior team are Connor Allred, Chris Lyles and Chris Sutton from Texas High, as well as Slayton Holland and Jake Thompson from Atlanta. Bryan Moore and Jacoby Ross from Liberty-Eylau, and Hayden Hackett of Redwater also make the transition.
“The junior players from last season know what it takes to compete at this level,” Sutton said.
Triston Brooks, catcher from LibertyEylau and signee with the Texas A&M University-Texarkana, is the team captain and plays catcher.
Garrett Brooks, another college signee from L-E, is a senior
pitcher. Teammate Rory Baugus, a left-handed pitcher, marks his fourth year in a Bulldog uniform.
New additions to the Texarkana team are middle infielder Jakob Hearne from Texas High, first baseman Rodrigo Zaldivar of Mount Pleasant, and outfielder Andy Samples of Atlanta.
“We have a lot of guys that can play multiple positions,” Sutton said. “Our team is built around versatile athletes with many attributes who are strong in multiple phases of the game.
“We have intellect, power and speed. We have the ability to hit the ball deep or play small ball. This team is solid in all positions.”
First base will be split between
Jake Thompson and Rodrigo Zaldivar.
Thompson dominated from the mound last year and recorded multiple victories during the state championship series and played first base when not pitching or catching.
Zaldivar is a big target and provides good range and great agility at first.
The middle infield and third base will consist of Jakob Hearne, Slayton Holland, Bryan Moore and Chris Sutton.
Hearne is a 16-5A Texas first team all-district infielder.
Holland, primarily a pitcher, also played some third base last year for the championship team and brings additional depth to the position.
Moore played multiple infield positions for the Bulldogs last year and will also see action on the mound.
Sutton started in the middle infield for the junior Bulldogs last year and was chosen defensive MVP at shortstop in the state championship series.
The outfield will consist of Connor Allred, Chris Lyles, Jacoby Ross and Andy Samples.
Allred led the junior Bulldogs at the plate last year and was also chosen as the offensive MVP of the state championship series.
Lyles was the center-piece of the outfield last year and was voted Texas 16-5A first team all-district this year.
Ross is the young veteran who brings power and speed to the game. Ross started in left field on the state championship team.
Samples is the newcomer to the group who brings speed and power to the plate.
“Samples is a pure athlete that can play any position in the outfield and will give nothing less than 100 percent every time he touches the diamond,” Sutton said.
Behind the plate will be Hackett, Triston Brooks and Thompson.
Hackett was the starting catcher for the junior Texarkana championship team last year. His quick feet and strong arm resulted in a lot of outs last season.
“Brooks' experience, athletic ability and leadership are second to none,” Sutton said.
Thompson will also see time behind the plate. Thompson is a veteran catcher and outstanding pitcher with a very strong and accurate arm. Thompson will be counted on to play multiple positions.
“We have many options when it comes to the pitching,” Sutton said. “We have multiple pitchers that can throw complete games. I expect to see pitching from Allred, Baugus, Garrett Brooks, Hackett, Hearne, Holland, Lyles, Moore, Sutton and Thompson. Each one of these guys brings something unique to the mound.” 2017 TEXARKANA BULLDOGS Date Site-Opponent Time June 2-4 B. Warren Mem. Razorback Invit. TBA June 6 at Hope 6 p.m. June 9-11 P. Sandoval Mem. Tournament TBA June 16 Camden 6 p.m. June 20 Hope 6 p.m. June 23-25 at LSU-S/Centenary TBA June 27 at Texarkana Razorbacks 6 p.m. June 29-July 2 at Henderson State TBA July 6-9 at Louisiana Tech/ULM TBA July 14 at Camden 6 p.m. July 19 at Texarkana Razorbacks TBA TBA Texas state tournament TBA