It is hard to believe that the college baseball season in Oklahoma is just around the corner.

Earlier in December, we sent out a questionnaire to each small college baseball team’s head coach (NCAA D2, NAIA, NJCAA) in the state about their program and outlook for 2024. We’ve had several responses and we are excited to share with you their previews for the upcoming season.

• Tuesday, January 9: USAO Drovers
• Thursday, January 10: OK Wesleyan Eagles

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Basics

• School: Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles
• Location: Bartlesville, OK
• Level: NAIA
• Conference: Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
• Team Website: OKWU Website

2023 Recap

• Record: 38-16 (KCAC: 22-11)
• Conference Finish: 5th
• NAIA National Tournament: N/A

Head Coach

• Kirk Kelley
• 8th season at OKWU (27th overall)
• Other schools: Eastern Oklahoma State College & Lyon College

Kirk Kelley is OKWU's athletic director and head baseball coach. Under his direction, OKWU baseball has grown into a national force, including a trip to the NAIA World Series in 2021.

Last season, Kelley marked his 850th win at the NAIA level, an impressive milestone. pic.twitter.com/BI6KDWvVfj

— Oklahoma Wesleyan University (@OKWUniv) August 4, 2023

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Returning Starters

Position Players

• Noah Adams (lead team in hitting in 2023)
• Josh Logan (lead team in HRs in 2023)

Pitchers

• Kellen Brothers (SP)
• Matt Atencio (SP)
• Michael Mendoza (SP)
• Evan Foor (SP)
• Tyler Benefiel (RP)
• Carson Frazier (RP)

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Incoming Players That Could Have Impact in 2024

Position Players

• Jorge Aldrete: hit .348/.430/.562 with 10 HR, 42 RBI as a 1B at Western OK State College in 2023.
• Javi Marcial: hit .333/.443/.500 as an OF at Western OK State College in 2023
• Ravaugh Morgan: dynamic OF from McLennan CC
• Alex Austin: Collinville native, transfer from Arkansas-Monticello (NCAA D2); batted .321 in 56 AB in 2023

Pitchers

• Ashton Luera: made 12 starts for Luna CC in 2023 and averaged 9.22 K/9 innings

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Season Outlook

The strength of this team will be it’s pitching. OKWU will have 4 pitchers that have been All Conference performers in the past. According to Coach Kelley, the “pitching depth is the most we’ve ever had.”

The Eagles look to have gotten some significant bats to transfer in to go with returners Adams and Logan.

If the sticks can provide run support, the pitching should be there. With that the Eagles could make a significant run to a conference championship and even a return trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

One last thing Coach Kelley said about this 2024 edition of the OKWU Eagles: he “loves this team.”

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OKWU 2024 Schedule

2024 Eagles Schedule 🦅⚾ pic.twitter.com/JNUTmKJcAX

— Oklahoma Wesleyan Baseball (@OKWUeagles_BSB) January 2, 2024

Link to schedule: OKWU Schedule

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