Throughout the season, I’ll be starting the week off with this “What to Watch” story, previewing the best of what is to come in college baseball, and when the time comes, high school baseball. Each week we’ll look at the college matchup of the week, as well as which Oklahoma school vs Oklahoma school battle is the most enticing. Once March rolls around and the high school season begins, we’ll also take a look at the best matchups from each class, from 6A down to Class B. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a preview of where I’ll be this week to provide live, in-person coverage. 

Matchup of the week (College) – Oklahoma Wesleyan vs Southeastern (FL)

What could be bigger than a three game series against the top ranked team in the country? That is exactly what’s in store this weekend when Oklahoma Wesleyan concludes their two week trip around Florida against the best the country has to offer. This series is a rematch of the same series from last season, a series that ended in a sweep for Southeastern, so the Eagles will look to flip the script in 2024. Oklahoma Wesleyan has gotten off to a fast start this season thanks to the bats getting hot early. The Eagles sit at 4-1 after their first week of action, scoring at least seven runs in all five games of the young season. You don’t need to look far to see what’s made the Eagles offense so potent, it’s in large part thanks to a scorching hot start by leadoff hitter Ravaughm Morgan. The junior is sitting at a .650 avg, with an .850 slg to go along with a team high four stolen bases. Southeastern comes into this series the clear top dogs in NAIA, collecting 18 of 20 first place votes in the preseason top 25. The voters have certainly been proven correct to this point, as the Fire will come into the weekend series fresh off an extremely impressive showing at the East/West Classic which saw them take down three top 20 opponents, each by seven or more runs, including the third ranked team in the nation in a 10-3 beatdown. As dominant as the Fire are in general, you can even turn it up a few notches when they matchup with someone on their home field, going 35-1 at home in 2023 and getting off to a quick 3-0 at home this season. The Eagles are confident in their chances against any team in the nation, and will head into Lakeland expecting to go home 3-0, but even just taking one game of the series should work wonders towards the Eagles confidence come time for the postseason, letting them know that they can compete with any team, anywhere. 

---

Top Sooner State Showdown (College) – Murray State vs Connors State

The top Sooner State Showdown of the week comes from the JUCO ranks, with Region 2 powers in their respective divisions Murray State and Connors State collide for a doubleheader at Biff Thompson Field on Saturday. Murray State comes into the week sitting at 2-1 after facing off with two tough NJCAA D1 opponents in Grayson College and Navarro College. The Aggies find themselves at what would be 23rd in the nation if the D2 rankings extended that far, and will look to position themselves for a jump into the national conversation with two potential big wins if they can pull off some tough road victories this weekend. Connors State is starting a bit later than the rest of the state this season, likely being in the middle of their season opening doubleheader at the time this article is posted. The Cowboys will be eager to make a statement early in 2024 that their elite 2023 regular season record was no fluke as they look to get the bitter taste of a shocking 0-2 showing in the Region 2 playoffs out of their mouths. 

---

Where I’ll be this week – N/A

Sadly I won’t be able to make it out to any games this week. If all goes according to plan this week should be the only week I’m not able to make it out to anything, so make sure to follow along on Twitter (or X) to see where I’ll be each week.