HARLETON, Texas — It's hard to ask for a more perfect season than the Harleton baseball team put together last season. Going on a magical run to the state tournament with a nearly spotless record of 37-1, the Wildcats capped off their season with their school's first ever state championship.
However, with that state championship comes a ton of extra pressure and eyes right on the Harleton program.
"It was amazing, but it's going to be a grind to get back there," senior Cameron Johnson said. "I think every single player on this team wants to get back there, so we're going to have to keep grinding."
This season has been more of the same with Harleton entering the second round of the playoffs with a record of 24-3 after what they considered a slow start.
For a lot of players, the added pressure could catch up to them as the season progresses. However, if you ask the guys on the team, they will tell you they're as locked in as ever on making another dream come true this season.
"If we did that, it would be amazing. Even just to go back would be amazing, with that feeling and opportunity to be there would be great," junior Carson Wallace said. "We just need to lock in. If we can play the ball that Harleton can play, we'll go all the way again."
It's no secret that everyone's goal is making it back to the state championship following a title season. However, head coach DJ Beck emphasizes the focus and mindset of every good team is that championships are won one game at a time. Just like last year, that is the focus for the Harleton baseball team.
"Right now, these guys know it's one game at a time. We don't want to put the cart before the horse at all, and we know it's going to be really tough," Beck said. "One game at a time is how we're going to keep it. I know they're hungry though, so we'll see what happens."
Harleton will take on Alba-Golden in the second round of the playoffs.