PORT NECHES — The Port Neches Little League 11-Year-Old All-Stars remember 2015.
The team was 10-years-old at the time and went to the state tournament, just like they will do this year.
Port Neches went to the tournament and didn’t win a game.
“We didn’t take it seriously at all,” Kaiden Reeves said. “It is a lot different this year. That will pay off.”
Port Neches plays Western Hills at 5 p.m. Saturday in Tyler. Western Hills is the only new comer of the four teams. The other three teams, including Port Neches, all made the state tournament last year.
Lamar National and Post Oak join Western Hills and Port Neches in Tyler.
“Last year they were just being kids,” head coach Michael Reeves said. “It was their first time to go. They were running around the hotel just being boys. I think this year will be a little better. They are still 11-year-old boys so you never know how it is going to turn out.”
Coach Reeves said he has seen his team play well on both sides of the ball this year.
“Through district our strength was hitting the baseball,” he added. “In sectionals it was definitely pitching. We made a lot of errors in the field but pitching kept us in the games. We seemed to get a lead and maintain a lead.
“Now it would be great if we can put all that together this weekend.”
Cayce Crippen is a shortstop for the team and he is excited about getting another shot at the state tournament.
“It feels good going back,” Crippen said. “We didn’t do good last year because we didn’t know what it was going to be like. This year will be better. The experience from last year will help.
“This year we all know each other and everyone is a good player. We gave up a lot of runs last year and we didn’t take it serious. We are taking it serious this year.”
Kaiden Reeves said the team is having fun this year.
“The teams going to state are all the same from last year except one team,” he said. “In the first game last year we should have won and then the second game we got whipped. Nobody on our team was on their A game. Going last year and taking it serious this year is going to pay off this weekend.”
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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe