Baseball returns to a full deck

Baseball returns to a full deck
 Following an 0-3 start to the season in the Kinder Tournament, Oakdale baseball is now playing with a full deck with the basketball players returning to the squad. Head coach Brent McKoy says the addition of these players will help "tremendously."
 "It gave us more depth at pitching," McKoy added. "I think we get back in the groove with that, and we'll be a little more consistent with our defense. I think we'll win some games in district."
 The only win on the season thus far came in the Rosepine Tournament against Hicks. The Warriors jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the Top of the First and tacked on a run in the Top of the Second before erupting for four runs in the Top of the Third. Oakdale pitching scattered four runs on the afternoon leading to the 8-4 win. 
 In the same tournament, the Warriors lost 4-0 to Vermilion Catholic and lost 11-4 to Ascension Episcopal. "We hit the ball well," McKoy said about the tournament. "We had double digit hits in two games. In the Hicks game, we really hit the ball well, and pitching was pretty decent. We played Ascension Episcopal, and they were really good. They hit the ball well. They just out hit us that game. And a lot of times we get to the third game of a tournament, and our pitching runs out."
 After losing 11-0 to Iowa in the next game, Oakdale began district play and lost at Rapides 9-6. McKoy's team then went on to play in the Tioga Tournament beginning March 9 and lost to Iowa 5-1 in the first game. The Warriors played at Pineville the next night and suffered a 7-0 loss to the Rebels.
       Gavin Johnson and Hunter Longino reached base to lead off the game, but the next three Warriors in the line up were retired in succession. Cam Bates in the bottom of the inning doubled in Brandon Couch and Tyler Atkins giving Pineville the 2-0 lead after the first inning. The score remained the same until the Bottom of the Fourth when Pineville plated two more runs. The first of which scored on an errant pick off throw at third base, and the second came on a sacrifice fly. 
 Pineville then scored three runs in the Bottom of the Sixth. Bates scored on an error at third base by Longino. Matt Sylvia then popped up to the pitcher McDaniel for the first out before pinch-hitter Evan Atkins and Levi Roberts scored on a Garrett Brown double.
 Even with his team's struggles in the early going, McKoy sees hope. "I think we're slowly getting better," he said. "That's the goal to get better."