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.
- Today: NOC Tonkawa Mavericks
- Thursday, January 18: MACU Evangels
- Wednesday, January 17: Randall Saints
- Tuesday, January 16: Cameron Aggies
- Monday, January 15: Southwestern Christian Eagles
- Thursday, January 11: OK Wesleyan Eagles
- Tuesday, January 9: USAO Drovers
Basics
- School: Northern Oklahoma College – Tonkawa Mavericks
- Location: Tonkawa, OK
- Level: NJCAA Division 2
- Conference/Region: Region 2
- Team website: NOC Mavs
2023 Recap
- Record: 39-19
- Region finish: 3rd
- Great Plains District Tournament: 1-2
Head Coach
- Michael Keeran
- 1st season at NOC Tonkawa
- 4th season as Head Coach overall: Bismarck State College (ND) 2020-2022
- Record at Bismarck State College: 69-18 (.793)
- 2023: Recruiting Coordinator – Western Illinois
Returning Players
Position Players
- Matt Stancliff: All American type player who will lead off and play 2B. Hit over .400 in ’23 with 20+ XBH
- Elija Laus: Plus glove at SS who hit .285 in ’23
Pitchers
- Caleb Lunnon: Pitched more than 70 innings in ’23; Top 100 PBR JUCO prospect
- Brendon Carter: Missed ’23 with injury; Starting pitcher in ’22 (90-94 mph fastball
Potential Incoming Impact Players
- Landen Johnson (1B): High Point, NCAA D1 commit/signed with Indiana St out of high school; hit over .300 in ’23
- Ethan Rossi (OF): Transfer from Illinois-Chicago (NCAA D1)
- Luke Shannahan (OF): Transfer from Cowley County CC; Started over 40 games in ’23
- Larry Edwards, Jr (OF): Transfer from Seminole St; Started over 40 games with 6 HR in ’23
- Blade Carver (C): Freshman; Hit 6 HRs in Fall
- Cade Boyer (INF): Transfer from Amarillo CC; Hit 4 HRs in Fall
- Nakni Anna (P/OF): Freshman; Closer throws in low 90’s; Will start in OF
- Landon Flusche (P): Transfer from UCO
- Logan Taylor (P); Transfer from Cisco CC
Season Outlook
The Mavericks had a season that some would label “surprising” in 2023 and contended for the Region 2 regular season title.
However, most of the roster is gone from last year’s team. Not only that, it is a new coaching staff as Ryan Bay moved down the road to NOC Enid.
With that said, new head coach, Michael Keernan says this year’s squad had a good fall with 50 HRs in 24 fall games. It is worth noting that Keernan went on to say, “that doesn’t mean anything.”
It’s safe to say that if the offense can produce numbers this season the way it did in the fall and if the pitching staff can perform with the transfers and freshman coming in, don’t be surprised to see the Mavericks in the Region 2 postseason tournament.
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Sooner State Baseball Report 
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