VIDEO: Young Sluggers Looking To Repeat History

By Robby Donoho

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — They became trailblazers a season ago.

The Starkville Little Leaguers advanced to the Little League Southwest Regional for the first time, and now they’re aiming to become history makers once more.

They leave for Waco, Texas on Tuesday and their first game in the regional will be Thursday at 6 P.M. versus New Mexico.

This year, going back was expected, and the goal was reached.

While there are familiar faces from last year’s team, this year’s team has a new and stronger identity thanks to their big game experience.

“Having been down there once before, we know what to expect”, said head coach Tom McReynolds, “we know the routines that are expected. We have five guys that went last year that will be going for the second time.

“There’s lots of little rules that will be a big advantage for us to know.”

“We have a lot more pitchers that can throw strikes and more hitters”, said Will McReynolds, “we didn’t practice a lot last year. it helps when you practice more.”

“The hitting and pitching is outstanding on this team, and we’re all great friends”, said Cole Gonzalez.

It is the friendship and camaraderie that makes this year’s Starkville Little Leaguers so special.

It’s a tight-knit group that knows everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, and their genuine love for one another as a team has led them to this point.

“We’ve played a lot of baseball together since we were young”, said Hayes Davis, “I think we got together and got rolling really quick.”

The young sluggers play for one another and for the purpose of making history, but that history comes with a price for the coach.

If Starkville wins the Southwest Regional, coach McReynolds has promised his kids they can shave his head on the pitcher’s mound after their triumphant moment.

“It will be awesome”, said Aiden Fancher, “it will be funny. When he walks into work, his hair would be all messed up, would be hilarious.”

“I’m excited about it. If we do that, we would have made history and I’ll have a history making haircut”, said McReynolds, “if we win that tournament, i will gladly sit there and get a haircut.”

“It would be amazing to make history for our state”, said Randall Futral, “…to have that for ourselves and to say we went to Williamsport would be really cool.”

Only one team from Mississippi has ever made it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, but this year’s Starkville team hopes that history isn’t on their side, and they will be able to write their own page in the baseball history book to say Starkville, Mississippi played at the Little League World Series.

Anyone interested in cheering on the Starkville Little Leaguers can watch the game on the Longhorn Network at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Starkville.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team’s trip to Waco, email sports@wcbi.com.