Dale’s Hathcock happy to be back in state tournament

DALE — Gant Hathcock hated watching last season’s fall baseball state tournament.

His team, Dale, was not in the tournament. It was a rare and frustrating occurrence for the small-school powerhouse program.

But the Pirates regained their form. They were in the spring tournament and they enter Thursday’s Class A fall baseball state tournament ranked No. 4 in Class A. The Pirates play at 1:30 p.m. against Wright City at Mustang High School.

Hathcock, a senior batting .421, spoke with The Oklahoman about being back in the state tournament:

Q: After missing the fall tournament last year, what does it mean to be back?

A: “Very redeeming. We just kept on playing through the spring and this fall, then we finally made it.”

Q:Whatdidyoulearnfrommissing it last season?

A: “It puts a bad taste in your mouth and makes you want to work harder. We just came together as a team and played better. We just knew this was something that we had to.”

You’re committed to Seminole State. How do you feel like you’ve played this fall?

A: “I feel like I’ve had one of the better seasons I’ve had through my high school career. But you’ve got to keep going through this tournament, the offseason and the spring season. I’ve got a better average, been playing well in the field and my teammates have picked me up.”