By Mark Glenn, sports editor

It’s been four years since the Altus High Bulldogs have made the state baseball tournament. Coach James Rubi’s Bulldogs hope to make it back this season.

The Bulldogs open their season Tuesday when they host the Vernon Lions at Kiwanis Park. The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

There is optimism in the Bulldog camp and there is good reason to be optimistic.

Six regulars return from last year’s team that went 19-13 and lost in the regional finals to Duncan.

Back are pitcher Kevin Hamm, outfielder Jackson Long, first baseman Braden Warren, left handed hurler Cale Hand, third baseman Derrick Bull and pitcher-shortstop-third baseman Austin Beisel.

“Pitching will be the key,” Rubi said. ‘Pitching and defense, If we can throw strikes and catch the ball we have a chance to be in every ballgame. We need to generate some runs on offense by bunting and the hit and run I don’t think we are going to be home run hitting ball club. I think we will be more a hit and run punch and Judy type of team. That’s just what our style is right now. And I think we are going to be pretty solid defensively. We’re working hard at it.”

Team goals

“Our goal every year is to put our best ball players out there and compete,” Rubi said. “Our goal every year is to win 20 ball games. By winning that many games, we have a chance to prepare ourselves for regionals, because we will have a lot more wins than losses.”

Bulldog notes: Fifty-five players are in the baseball program at Altus High. AHS will field a varsity team plus a junior varsity and blue and white teams for freshman and sophomores.

To get enough repetitions for everybody Rubi and his staff switch the squads around. When the blue and white teams are in the batting cage, the rest are on the field. They then will switch off.

‘The reps are not as many as we need,” Rubi said. “But with one facility that’s all we can do. We are fortunate we have a bull pen and we are fortunate we have batting cages.”

Rubi will be without Bull, Warren, and Hand for a while. They are still playing basketball.

Rubi’s staff includes Joe Johnson, Dusty Davis and Jimmy Childs.

Roster

Seniors

Dustyn Denton, OF; Kevin Hamm, P-3B-1B; Jackson Long, OF; Mauro Rogriguez, OF; Braden Warren, 1B.

Juniors – Cale Hand, P; Austin Beisel, P-SS-3B; Derrick Bull, 3B-P; Sinjin Cramer, C; Maluchi Ellison, OF; Kaley Evans, OF; Matthew Gilstad, OF-P; Dylan Graham, 1B; Dalton Gunkel, 1B-P; Zack Neely, 3B-P; Shane Reaser, OF; Dillion Ridley, 2B-SS;Robby Suniga, OF; Shelby Worbes, SS-2B-P; Brandon Ybarra, C.