CAMERON’S TRISTIN HAGEN
By Buck Ringgold
Tristin Hagen realizes being a baseball player at Cameron is more than just stepping across the white lines into the field of play.
He literally does his part in getting the field ready for action, among the other things he does around the school.
“I try to help my school teachers with any jobs they need done, along with being a good student,” Hagen said. “Also, me and my dad have helped Coach (Kevin) Lomon with field work and prep for the upcoming season.”
Hagen, now entering his senior season with the Yellowjackets, also does his part to display leadership to his teammates.
“I inspire my coaches by showing leadership and doing my best to encourage my teammates to improve our team chemistry and just talent overall,” Hagen said.
Hagen plays right field and pitches for the Yellowjackets. When asked whether he prefers hitting or pitching, Hagen doesn’t hesitate choosing the latter.
“I like pitching more because I love being on the mound and having control of the game and filling the zone up for my team,” he said.
That includes displaying a vast repertoire of pitches at his disposal.
“My primary pitch would be my four-seam fastball, and my speciality pitch would be my slider,” Hagen said. “I also throw a circle change-up and a knuckle curveball.”
Pitching has always been Hagen’s passion, dating to when he first took up baseball.
“Baseball has always been my favorite sport since I was a kid when I started kid pitch,” he said. “I’ve loved being on the mound and having control over the game.
“I also love playing with my teammates and just having fun playing baseball.”
Over the offseason, Hagen has continually been working to improve. That includes going twice a week to nearby Poteau to train at the facility run by former Major League Baseball pitcher Koda Glover.
“I take advantage of our indoor (facility),” Hagen said. “I try to go hit every night and get some arm care done.
“I also go to Koda’s on Sundays and Wednesdays; I get a majority of my work done in there.”
Hagen, who possesses a 3.1 grade-point average, is hoping to get the chance to play baseball at the collegiate level. He remains hopeful that an offer is in the works.
“I plan on playing college ball after high school, but I’m currently uncommitted,” Hagen said. “I am planning my commitment soon, though.”
But Hagen’s other main objective in the coming weeks is to help Cameron build on last spring’s trip to the state tournament.
“I think we have learned a lot from last year,” Hagen said. “We’ve taken our mistakes and turned them into lessons.
“I also think our team chemistry is a lot better as we have learned from our last run at state and we are planning to make another trip to state and hopefully winning it all.”
