Rusk teams head to state
Six baseball, softball teams from Rusk qualify for state tourney
BY LELAND ACKER

The Rusk Storm qualified for the state tournament by winning the district championship in the machine pitch division. The team is 14-0 heading into the state tournament in Texarkana July 23. Team members are (front row, from left): Rick Frauenberger, Garron McWilliams, Blaine Parker, Jake Hugghins, Jalin Henderson, Wyatt Gilchrest; Middle row: Preston Shuptrine, Noah Acker, Wes Thompson, Jonas Westbrook, Hunter Townsend, Aaron McCreight. Coaches on the back row are David Westbrook, Rodney Hugghins, Brian Townsend and Allen Gilchrest. Not pictured are Trace Dominy, Jacob Sexton and Nick Pope PHOTO: NIKKI ACKER

The future looks bright for Rusk High School baseball and softball as three baseball and three softball teams from Rusk have advanced to the state tournaments.

The summer league softball state tournaments are underway this week, with three Rusk teams being represented.

The Rusk Lady Eagles team advanced to the state "coach pitch" tournament by winning second place in district. That tournament is being held in Clifton.

Members of the l state-bound Rusk Eagles 15U team are (front row, from left): Trey Thrash, Austin Davis, Jake Marks, Dillon Fitts, Dylan Pruitt and Roosevelt Birmingham. Back Row: Coach Dewayne Davis, coach Bud Fletcher, Blake Fletcher, John Trotter, Trent Halbert, John David Beard, Colton Campbell, Mikey Lloyd and coach Stacy Halbert. Not pictured is Tyler Daniels. PHOTO: VICKEY BEARD

The Rusk Attitudes qualified for the state 12U tournament by winning second place in district. That tournament is underway in Rockdale.

The Rusk Riptide 15U team is currently competing in the state softball tournament in Chandler.

The baseball state tournaments begin July 23 for three Rusk teams. The Rusk Rangers T-ball team will compete in Salado. The Rangers are undefeated and are coming off of a 23-22 district championship win over the Bullard Roughriders Friday. The team is coached by Ronny Gates and Doug Bayliss.

The Rusk Storm will compete in the "machine pitch" state tournament slated to begin Monday in Texarkana. The Storm has yet to suffer a loss this season. The team is coached by David Westbrook, Rodney Hugghins, Brian Townsend and Allen Gilchrest.

The Rusk Rangers won the district tournament Friday by defeating the Bullard Roughriders 23-22. The Rangers have qualified for the state tournament to be held in Salado beginning July 23. Team members are (front row, from left): Blake Williams, Riley Kinney, Keaton Oliver, Austin Gates and Keller Brooks. Back row: Coach Ronny Gates, Caidyn Boggs, Conner Ellis, Dalton Mabry, Andrew Gates, Bredan Session, Nathan Wallace, Landry Bayliss and coach Doug Bayliss. Not pictured are Tori Bachus and Ryan Mabry. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

The Rusk Eagles will compete in the state 15U tournament which begins Monday in Lancaster. Eagle coaches are Dewayne Davis, Bud Fletcher and Stacy Halbert. All three Rusk baseball teams qualified for state tournament action by winning the district championships.