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.
- Saturday, January 20: NOC Enid Jets
- Friday, January 19: 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: Murray State College Aggies
- Location: Tishomingo, OK
- Level: NJCAA Division II
- Region: Region 2
- Team website: MSC Aggies
2023 Recap
- Record: 41-19
- Region finish: 4th
- Great Plains District Tournament: 2-2
Head Coach
- Sam Bjorling
- 7th season at Murray State
Returning Players
Position Players
- Wilbert Espinal (RF): .382/.490/.698; 16 HR; 66 RBI; 15 2B; 49 R – All American candidate with middle of the lineup power; Alabama St commit
- Jaxon Gless (C): .271/.364/.436; 3 HR; 16 RBI; 11 2B; 1 3B, 38 R; Plus defensive catcher who took a step forward offensively in the Fall
- Trace Necessary (3B): .309/.387/.648; 14 HR; 52 RBI; 11 2B; 1 3B; 34 R; Strong freshman season & looks to play multiple positions in ’24
- Gage Gilchrist (1B/LF/DH): .280/.435/.495; 6 HR; 39 RBI; 19 2B; 3 3B; 52 R; High ceiling with strong arm in OF, lead team in PA’s & AB’s in ’23
- Andrew Tinsley (OF): .213/.356/.447; 2 HR; 13 RBI; 1 2B; 2 3B; 17 R; Platooned in ’23, multi tool player with speed and player
- Ethan Rone (2B): .150/.320/.150; 9 RBI, 3 R; Backed up All Region 2nd baseman in ’23; a top hitter in Fall; should bat 3 hole for average and power
- Mason Shimkus (C): .250/.464/.450; HR; 2 RBI; 1 2B, 5 R
Pitchers
- Brody Roe (LHP): G 16; IP 72.0; 9 W; 79 K; 4.88 ERA; 1st team All Region in ’23; Likely game 1 starter; 4 pitches for strikes; Kansas St commit
- Nathan Darden (RHP): G 23; IP 43.1; 5 W; 3 SV; 39K; 3.32 ERA; Pitched in high leverage situations and closer role in ’23 – expect same for ’24
- Javarian Roquemore (RHP): G 15; IP 19.1; 1 W; 1 SV; 24 K; 7.91 ERA; Multiple pitches for swings/misses; pitches in multiple roles; OK Baptist commit
- Ryan Dugas (LHP): G 9; IP 9.2; 8 K; 7.45 ERA; Plus slider; All Star in Texas Collegiate League with sub 2.00 ERA
- Kaleb Melvin (RHP): G 5; IP 6.1; 11 K; 11.37 ERA; Came back from TJ surgery late in ’23; got stronger in Fall; 2 & 4 seam fastball with curveball
- Kyle Holzer (RHP): G 3; IP 2.1; 15.43 ERA
- Cooper Ewing (RHP): Strong fastball; can pitch in multiple roles; strong summer in Jayhawk League
Potential Incoming Impact Players
Transfers
- Kyndon Lovell (McClennon CC), LHP: Plus stuff that will draw attention of pro scouts, Arkansas commit out of Owasso high school; closer role
- Jake Blackwell (EOSC), LHP: Plus command, High IQ, looks to be top 3 starter on staff; McNeese St commit
- Brennan Morgan (Central Michigan), 2 way player: On mound high leverage arm out of bullpen; Middle of lineup bat
- Peyton Roberson (Hutchinson CC), 1B/DH: Left handed power threat; OU commit out of high school
- Carter Perkins (TCS Post Grad), SS: smooth fielder that put up good offensive numbers in Fall
Freshmen
- Cash Kuiper (Choctaw HS): Expected to start; potential to be a top freshman pitcher in the country
- Austin Haley: Talented 2 way player; will play 3B or SS; gap to gap; consistent/dependable fielder; front of rotation stuff on mound
Season Outlook
It is safe to say that Murray State is one of the best programs in the country. They were in the NJCAA D2 World Series just 2 seasons ago and won the national title as recently as 2013. The Aggies spent most of the season last year ranked in the top 20 with reaching as high at #5.
It is because of that history that expectations are high in Tishomingo. It isn’t any different in 2024 as Head Coach, Sam Bjorling says, “It is our goal every year in this program to get to the World Series and compete for a national title.”
Looking at what the Aggies have coming back and coming in, it is easy to think that they will have a legitimate chance to do that. Wilbert Espinal is a All American type player that anchors the lineup. Trace Necessary and Gage Gilchrist return to provide even more production to the Aggies.
On the pitching side, gone is Colby Langford, but the pitching staff looks even more loaded this year. Several guys look have the potential to provide innings as a starter and MSC has at least 2 pitchers that can shut down teams at the end of the games.
Murray State looks to get back to the NJCAA D2 World Series in 2024 and if everyone can stay healthy, the national title is something the Aggies can achieve in 2024.
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