After a somewhat slow start this season, the baseball team at Oakville Senior High School finally is beginning to run like a well-oiled machine.

The Tigers (8-5, 4-2 Suburban South Conference) have won four of their last five games, including a 7-3 dismantling of Rockwood Summit.

“We’ve won four of our last five games, so obviously things are going in the right direction,” Oakville High head coach Rich Sturm told the Call. “We’re excited and happy with how things are going right now.”

Oakville jumped out to a commanding 6-0 by the top of the fourth inning, while the Summit Falcons responded in the bottom of the fifth with three runs of their own.

The Tigers’ final run of the game came in the top of the seventh inning as they racked up 11 hits and just one error.

But the talk of the game was Andy Marks, who threw a complete game of seven innings and was on the verge of a complete game no-hitter.

Marks retired 13 batters via strikeout, while walking just three and giving up one earned run.

“Andy was flat out outstanding,” Sturm said.

“I’ve known Andy for a long time and he’s a great competitor who likes to get the ball and go after batters. The thing that makes him a good pitcher is his competitive attitude,” he added.

Senior shortstop Ryan Gray was stout at the plate for the Tigers as he went 2-2 with two runs batted in and two walks.

For the season, Gray is batting a hearty .500 with five RBI on eight hits.

“Ryan’s also been outstanding,” the Oakville High head coach said. “He’s a coachable kid who’s a hard worker that really puts his hard work to good use.”

Also having a good afternoon at the plate for the Tigers was sophomore designated hitter Casey Jones, who was 2-3 with two RBI and one walk.

“We’re kind of hoping that he’s our catcher of the future,” Sturm said. “He’s done a really nice job for us.”

The Tigers are back into conference play Wednesday, April 28, as they take on Webster Groves in a match that will determine this year’s final league standings.

A conference win for Oakville could determine whether the Tigers will place in the runners-up position in the conference or if the Tigers will move down into the middle of the pack.

“We want to finish strong and try to finish right behind Parkway South,” Sturm explained.

The Webster Groves game is scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. start