In the always competitive southeastern Oklahoma baseball world, the Tushka Tigers are on a mission as they approach the spring baseball season.

“Last spring we made it to the state tournament but lost in the semifinals and last fall we were in a regional that included the eventual state champion [Dale] and the state runner-up [Silo] so we knew it would be tough going in,” said head coach Dax Simon. “But we return three seniors and enough good players this spring that given the tradition we’ve established here in Tushka, our expectation is to be back in the state tournament in May. It won’t be easy and there have to be a lot of things that develop well between now and then.”

Leading the way for the Tigers is Landon Griffin, who primarily plays first base, hits for average and power and is really hard to strike out according to Simon. Ryan Vessels is a left-handed pitcher and outfielder and Fisher Hurt who Simon says may be the best athlete on the team who is a switch hitter and can play infield or outfield. There are also some juniors who will make major contributions for the Tigers in Tagen Simon who can pitch, catch, and play shortstop while hitting in the leadoff spot and Pete Goodson who bats in the middle of the order and plays in the infield and pitches as well. Finding good competition to play to get ready for state is pretty easy in this part of the state according to Simon.

“If you play everyone within an hour of here, you’ll be prepared for state,” said Simon. “Caddo is a formidable opponent that’s been nipping at the heels of going to state and I think they’ll get there this year. Rattan is in the area and if you go east, you’ve got Wright City and Red Oak. I think for us to get to that next level we need more consistency in all areas of the game for longer stretches.”

Simon has helped develop a winning philosophy at Tushka by believing in his players.

“I think you have to invest in the kids and don’t sell them short and give them a chance to prove me wrong because there have been a lot of years we were better than I thought we would be.”