The Phil Hardin 10U All-Stars were only selected a few weeks ago, but the short time to practice together didnt create any team chemistry challenges.

Just the opposite, in fact. Whether through travel ball or being on each others team during the Phil Hardin regular season, the more than a dozen members of the team were already well familiar with one another. That showed in the results: When the team traveled to Long Beach last week for the Cal Ripken state tournament, it won the 10U competition in five games by a combined score of 66-5.

Now, the 10U All-Stars turn their sights toward Paragould, Ark., where they will begin play in the Cal Ripken World Series Thursday. Head coach Michael Vaughn said he isnt surprised at last weeks dominant performance at the state tournament.

They all want to win, and they understand whats needed (to win), Vaughn said. Theyre all friends, and theyve been coached through travel ball, which helps a lot. These kids practice three times a week and get as much reps as they can get.

The team was practicing at Southeast Lauderdales baseball field Monday evening, preparing for what looks to be a tough slate of games in the upcoming World Series. Vaughn, though, said hes confident in his kids approach.

Theyre just having fun, Vaughn said. I have 14 kids, and they all put something toward winning. At 10 (years old), you dont expect dominance like that, but theyre all good kids. Im proud of every one of them.

The focus of practice this week will be getting back muscle memory, hitting and playing the best defense theyre capable of playing. Mentally, Vaughn said his players know not to put too much pressure on themselves, even if this is a World Series.

I just tell them to have fun and dont play tight or be nervous, Vaughn said. Its just a game. At 10, I dont expect them to be high school-minded.

Logan Flaskamp, 10, said he and his teammates play well together because they always have a positive word when one is needed.

We work together, and we dont put our heads down, Flaskamp said. We pick everyone up when they make an error, because they might put their heads down (if we dont), and everyone might do the same.

Left fielder Kellan Kerley, 10, said a lot of their success comes from Vaughn and his assistant coaches teaching them the right way to approach the game.

Hes nice, and he helps you when you need help, Kerley said. He tells you what you did wrong and shows you how to do it right and he plays everybody so no one is left out.

If he had to rank the teams chemistry on a scale from one to 10, Kerley said he would easily give it a 10.

We know each other and dont get into fights, Kerley said. Were all like brothers.

Hayden Backus, 11, said a typical practice includes them working on hitting, fielding ground balls and pop flies and stealing bases. Its better to learn that stuff in practice, he said, because it increases their chances of things going smoothly during a game.

You have to do everything here first, because if you learn it here first, you can do the practice stuff in a game, Backus said.

The 10U All-Stars first game is at 2 p.m. Thursday. The World Series runs through July 17.

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Team chemistry, experience lead Phil Hardin 10U All-Stars to World Series - Meridian Star