State championships are nice but right now not enough for the Lawrence Raiders.
After winning their third consecutive state Class AAA American Legion baseball title two weeks ago in Emporia, the Raiders have been focused on winning the Legion Central Plains Regional, which begins today in Mandan, N.D., against Eden Prairie, Minn.
First pitch is set for 9:30 a.m.
"We went into the state tournament as it being another step to get to where we want to be," Raiders pitcher Jake Hoover said. "Even if we win this tournament it's a step, because the World Series is our goal this year."
Both Hoover and left fielder Brett Lisher return as major contributors from last year's team that went 1-2 at the Central Plains regional in Omaha, Neb. At the plate, the two Raiders combined to go 15-for-26 in the three games.
"Jake and Brett have been there in a ton of big games," Raiders coach Kevin Tucker said. "You can't replace that experience. Other guys feed off them."
Lawrence won its opening game last year, 7-2, against the host Omaha, Neb., club, but then suffered a pair of heartbreaking one-run defeats - 15-14 to Eden Prairie and 12-11 to Johnson County, Iowa - and came home.
Two years ago, the Raiders went winless in their first appearance at the regional.
The Raiders' offense is just as potent as a year ago, averaging nearly 81â2 runs during the 41-game season.
"If our offense goes like it has been, we shouldn't have any problems," Hoover said. "Throwing strikes and keeping (Minnesota) off-balance will be tough."
The Raiders have not played since defeating Topeka Post 400 in the state championship 11 days ago, but Hoover says he and his teammates are ready.
"During the regular season, you face teams with a couple of good guys," Hoover said. "But once you reach this level, everyone is a good guy."
No doubt a little luck will be involved when so many state champions are involved, and Tucker figures this might be the Raiders' year.
"These guys," Tucker said, "think they have just as good a chance as anybody."
In the other first-round games, Rapid City, S.D., (51-12) will take on Omaha, Neb., (30-20) at noon; Watertown, Wis., (28-9) will face Fargo, N.D., at 4:30 p.m.; and Johnson County, Iowa, (21-11) will tangle with host Mandan, N.D., at 7 p.m.
The winner will travel to next week's Legion World Series in Rapid City, S.D.
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