Expectations are always high on the baseball diamond at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas.

That is the case again this season for the Pleasant Grove Hawks baseball team in 2016. Head Coach Riley Fincher returns for his second year as head coach, with assistants Paul Phillips and J.W. Bramlett.

In 2015, the Hawks were 26-5 and made it to the regional finals, stopping one step short of making the state finals again. P.G. does have some experience on the field this year with eight seniors, seven juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman playing on the varsity squad.

Coach Fincher says a lot is expected out of the varsity players.

"We are expecting to compete every day, whether it be in practice, a game, or the classroom. We are always looking to improve in some aspect every single day. This is a great group to be around. They are still learning as a team, but are very willing to do whatever it takes to help their team be successful."

We are expecting to compete every day, whether it be in practice, a game, or the classroom

Fincher is hoping for leadership from several players including Joe Pearlman who is a 4-year starter at shortstop and is a key pitcher for the Hawks. AJ Snyder is a 3-year starter who earned All-State honors in the outfield last season. Fincher also points out senior catcher Mark Ashby and says the team has a number of guys from all grade classifications, who they expect to have great years.

The district should be another tough one, according to Fincher.

"Our district, year in and year out, is always very competitive. With LE, Paris, North Lamar, Atlanta, and Pittsburg, we are going to have play great baseball every single night."

The Hawks will have their Black/Gold Scrimmage this Friday, February 19, then play in the Pine Tree Tournament from February 25-27 and will host its regular season home opener versus Carthage on Tuesday, March 1.

Don't be surprised to see the Hawks vying for another trip to regional finals and possibly state. The winning tradition in baseball has become ingrained at Pleasant Grove and it is something they expect to accomplish year in and year out.

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