Last year our friend, Brendan Dillon, had a weekly look at some games coming up during the week that he put a focus on. Unfortunately, Brendan is not contributing to SSBR this season, but we wanted to continue the tradition. So in that vain, we will be looking at some series in the college baseball world that we feel like should have a focus.
It is finally here! With the NCAA D1 season officially starting this weekend, we are finally at the point where all of our teams are playing. Yes, the weather has wreaked havoc on some schedules, we will still have several teams playing this weekend.
Not only is D1 starting it’s season this weekend, some of our NCAA D2 and NAIA schools will be starting conference play this weekend.
Let’s take a look at some of the series that deserve attention.
NCAA D1
Oklahoma State at the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, TX
It seems all the talk in Oklahoma regarding D1 baseball is the fact OU is joining the SEC this season, but let’s face it, OSU is starting the season off with a great opening weekend.
The Pokes will play in the Shriners Childrens’s College Showdown at Globe Life (no weather problems there) against Clemson on Friday, Louisville on Saturday, and Texas on Sunday.
All 3 teams won at least won at least 32 games last year with both Clemson and Texas making the NCAA National Tournament. Clemson was a Regional and Super Regional host in 2024.
Clemson was tabbed to finish 4th and Louisville 9th in the ACC with Texas picked 8th in the SEC. You can read more about these teams in our OSU Schedule Release post from January.
Other NCAA D1 series: OU vs Lehigh; ORU vs Arkansas – Pine Bluff
NCAA D2
NWOSU vs Harding
The Rangers were set to host Harding in the GAC opening series this weekend, but weather caused major changes to the series. The series has been moved to Denison, TX at Grayson Junior College.
The Rangers are coming into the series with a 7-2 record while the Bisons are 7-1.
Harding tied for 1st in the GAC last season and beat the Rangers out of the GAC Tournament while earning an at-large bid to the NCAA D2 Central Regional. NWOSU finished in a tie for 6th in the GAC last year 3.5 games behind Harding.
Harding was tabbed to finish 2nd in the GAC Preseason poll while NWOSU was picked 6th. Both teams are putting plenty of runs on board with NWOSU averaging over 11 runs/game and Harding 8 runs/game.
Other NCAA D2 series: OBU at SAU; SWOSU vs Arkansas Tech
NAIA
OK Wesleyan at Friends University
Oklahoma Wesleyan is riding high coming off a 5-0 Florida road trip and an overall record of 11-0 to start the season. The Eagles have been dominant in their 11 games outscoring their opponents 113-51.
The Eagles have 5 batters with an OPS over 1.000 with another at .997. Three players have over 10 RBIs in the first 11 games with another three at 9 RBI.
OKWU’s pitching has been just as good with a team ERA at 3.29. Evan Foor has not allowed an earned run in 13 IP.
The Eagles will be opening their KCAC season in Wichita where Friends comes into the series at 5-4 including a 2-0 record over OCU and coming off a series win last weekend.
USAO vs Bellevue
USAO has played one of the toughest schedules so far this season. The Drovers have played 4 games against ranked teams (#2 LSU-Shreveport, #13 Kansas Wesleyan (2x), and #14 Central Methodist). Unfortunately, they are 1-3 in those 4 games.
At 6-5 on the season, 4 of their losses have come by 1, 1, 2, and 3 runs. In their 6 wins, the Drovers average margin of victory is over 8 runs/game.
Bellevue comes into the series ranked at #15 in the NAIA Coaches POll and #11 in the NAIA Ball Media Poll. They are 1-3 on the season coming off 3 straight losses: 1 to #20 Concordia and 2 against #23 OCU.
*As of Thursday, Feb 13, this series has been shifted to a single double header on Friday.
NJCAA
Carl Albert State at Panola College
Carl Albert State comes into the series at Panola with a 6-1 record. The Vikings swept fellow Regions 2 school SAU Tech four games last weekend (2 away and 2 home).
The Vikings have been nothing short of impressive at the plate so far this season. They have yet to score less than 8 runs in their first 7 games this season averaging 10 runs/game.
CASC will be looking to hold the flag for Oklahoma schools this weekend. Panola is 6-3 on the season winning series vs NEO and Eastern the last 2 weekend.
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