With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Oakville High School varsity softball team will be fine-tuning its skills as the Tigers get set for what could be another deep postseason run.

The Tigers, now 15-4 on the season, are looking to rebound from a rare loss they suffered to the De Soto Dragons last weekend.

The game, which Oakville lost 3-2, was not a complete loss as it highlighted Oakville’s character and resilency, according to Tigers head coach Rich Sturm.

“We lost a hard-fought, nine-inning game to a good De Soto team at their place,” Sturm told the Call. “I was extremely proud of the resiliency and toughness our team showed throughout the game. The outcome was not what we wanted, but our kids left everything they had on the field. I thought it was perhaps one of our better team ef-forts this year.”

The makeup of this year’s squad, and its team attitude and effort — in addition to every part of the machine working properly — seems to be what’s driving their success this season, according to Sturm.

“The team is playing hard and with a lot of determination,” he said. “We have gotten significant contributions from everyone and each player is excelling in their role. We are getting great production from Emily Davidson, Maddie Michalski and Amanda Fitzwilliam. Hannah Chambliss, Baylee Ryan and Melanie Mooney have also given us significant contributions.

“Sarah Pattillo and Makayla Slavik have done an excellent job as a one-two punch in the pitcher’s circle.”

State championships are hard to come by and the Oakville softball program has had its share of them, most recently in 2010. While that is always a goal, it’s obviously not attainable all the time, but the Tigers will take another shot at it this year with a very solid team putting its best foot forward.

“First of all, we have been given a very difficult district assignment down in Poplar Bluff this year. That is who is hosting our district,” Sturm said. “Secondly, our district is full of very good teams like Seckman, Poplar Bluff, Jackson and Fox.

“Our focus once we get to the postseason is to take things one game at a time. We must play with poise, confidence and with a lot of determination to get through our district. It will be a tough task but our girls will be ready and will give it their best.”

Oakville was set to take on one of its closest rivals, the Lindbergh Flyers, Monday afternoon — after the Call went to press.