ALTUS -- The Altus High baseball team went through a tough season last year. Due to inexperience and breaking in a new style, they did not end the season the way they wanted.

The Bulldogs have rebounded and began this year's campaign with an 8-1 record. Coach James Rubi feels the turnaround started with a change in the squad's outlook. He believes in the old adage. "winning breeds more winning."

"Ninety percent of what we have accomplished is attitude," said Rubi. "One thing is they like each other. We stress family. When something bad happens to one, it happens to all. That is important. They have a high step to themselves. Shoulders are back. That is what winning does."

Altus heads into its own tournament on a high note. It defeated Lawton High on Tuesday 8-0.

Matt Meyers pitched a six inning shutout as he struck out eight to earn the victory.

The Bulldogs' Kyle Denton was 2-for-4 with a double, Bucky Buxton went 1-for-3 and Ben Hayes was 2-for-3. But it was Kirk Luebking who had the big stick as he knocked in three runs.

"We made a few mistakes error wise," said Rubi. "We overcame them with pitching and hitting. It worked out pretty well."

The Bulldogs will play Cache at 4 p.m. today in the first round of the Altus Invitational Tournament. A sweep through the invite will accomplish one of the many objectives the team has set for itself.

"Our goal this week is to win four games," Rubi said. "We got one on Tuesday. Now we need to get three in the tournament."

For Altus to be successful not only in this tourney but also in the future, they will rely on their pitching. It has carried them through the early part of the season.

The staff includes Meyer and Ben Hayes. But it is Michael Hermer who has been the ace of the rotation.

"We are led by that big horse over there," Rubi said. "We call him Secretariat."

While the Bulldogs' pitching and hitting are ahead of the curve, the coaching staff is not so optimistic about the teams' defense at this point.

Altus has been plagued with errors and miscues in the field. But they have been able to overcome them with strong pitching and making big plays when needed. However, that still does not ease the coaches' worries.

"We are not getting the little things done," Rubi said. "That is frustrating me, even at 8-1. We can't go through the whole season making mistakes and expecting pitching to pick us up."

Despite that, the Bulldogs are ranked 11th in class 5A and have already won five games in the Southern Conference. And they have done all of this while playing one of most difficult schedules in the area. Eight of their nine games have all been on the road.

This week's tournament will be the team's first extended homestand of the season. Along with a tourney in Chickasha next week, now is the time the Bulldogs will gauge how good they really are.

"I put a lot on them," said Rubi. "And I have kids that want that responsibility."

Reach Michael Kinney at sports@altustimes.com