OKLAHOMA CITY – The Tushka Tigers reached the 2A state semifinal game before bowing to eventual champion Dale in a 17-5 loss.

Light but steady rain created plenty of fielding headaches for both teams. The Tigers and Pirates issued more than 20 walks combined, adding to the high run tally.

Tushka held a 3-1 lead after two innings, scoring on hits by Wyatt Daniel, Zach Burns and an RBI triple from Scott Brinkley. But Dale was too much for the Tigers, scoring four runs in the third on three hits and an error.

The Tigers cut Dale’s lead to 5-4 in their part of the third, taking advantage of a pair of walks. Trevar Lytle scored Taylor Mobbs on an RBI single. Brinkley stayed solid on the mound, striking out two of three and stranding two Dale runners in the fourth.

Tushka tied the game in the fourth when C.J. Gregory walked, Mobbs singled and Moreland reached on an error to load the bases. Weston Manar was hit by a pitch to force Gregory home for the 5-5 tie, but the Tigers left the bases loaded.

The Pirates scored eight runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and three more in the seventh to close the door on Tushka. The Tigers will reportedly join the Bryan County Conference this fall, adding a very competitive school to an already loaded conference in basketball, baseball and softball.