Tarleton State University’s baseball program is set to headline the 2027 Cleburne College Baseball Series, a three‑day showcase that will transform La Moderna Field in Texas into a miniature professional ballpark for the nation’s rising talent.
Scheduled for March 5‑7, 2027, the event will pit the Texas‑based Texans against UT Arlington, UTSA and Washington State in a series designed to sharpen the squad’s depth before conference play.
A Milestone Season
The Texans arrive after capturing the Western Athletic Conference regular‑season and tournament titles in 2026, a feat that also earned head coach Fuller Smith the WAC Coach of the Year honor.
Smith, speaking at a press conference, said the series offers a rare chance to test his roster against elite competition in a setting that mirrors professional ballparks, a prospect that excites both players and alumni.
The schedule also features a marquee matchup against UTSA, the regular‑season co‑champions of the American Conference who posted a 38‑win campaign last year, and Washington State, the Mountain West champions who broke a decade‑long NCAA tournament drought.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the series will be streamed live on CollegeBaseballSeries.com, where fans can purchase tickets and follow real‑time stats.
Recognition and Momentum
Six Tarleton State student‑athletes earned spots on the All‑WAC Teams, including first‑team selection Rayner Heinrich and second‑team members Matthew McCullough, Anthony Treto, Sergio Guerra and Jake Tatom. Shortstop Ike Shirey also received a nod on the WAC All‑Defensive Team, underscoring the program’s defensive depth.
The accolades follow a season in which the Texans posted three victories over Power‑4 opponents, highlighted by an upset of the nationally second‑ranked Texas Longhorns.
With the 2027 series serving as a springboard, the program aims to translate its recent surge into sustained success within the conference and beyond, a narrative that resonates with a university community that has watched its athletic profile climb steadily since transitioning to Division I.