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.

---

Yes, we know that a weekend is usually just three days (Fri-Sun), but with the weather causing several delays for our teams this weekend, we thought it’d be best to include Monday in the preview as well.

Let’s get to it.

NCAA D1

Oklahoma at the Round Rock Classic

After an impressive sweep against undermanned Lehigh to open the season, the Sooners step up (way up) in level of competition this weekend. The Sooners will be playing Minnesota, Oregon State, and Virginia this weekend in neutral site games in Round Rock, TX.

Minnesota is first up for the Sooners on Friday. The Golden Gophers went 1-2 at Houston last weekend. For what it’s worth, the Gophers were 25-23 last year going 11-13 in the Big 10 (9th of 13 teams).

While Minnesota should not be overlooked, the games everyone are looking to are Oregon State on Saturday and Virginia on Sunday. The Beavers are ranked #7 in the latest D1 Baseball poll and the Cavaliers are #2.

OSU is 4-0 beating Xavier twice, and Indiana and UNLV in Arizona last weekend.

Virginia is 2-1 beating Villanova and Rice after losing in extras to Michigan to open the season.

Both Oregon State and Virginia were regional champs in 2024 with Cavaliers making the College World Series.

This will be a good test to see where the Sooners are to start the season.

Oral Roberts at Arizona State

Being a mid major, the Golden Eagles seem to take good road trips in the non conference season (but don’t get the return series at home). In 2021, they went to LSU, 2022 it was Ole Miss, 2023 saw them go to Texas State and Dallas Baptist. Last year it was Baylor.

This season ORU is heading to the desert to play Arizona State in Tempe, AZ. This should be a good test to see where the Eagles are at the start of the season. After sweeping UA Pine Bluff last weekend, ORU is also stepping up in competition. The Sun Devils were 32-26 overall in 2024 and 17-13 in the defunct Pac 12. ASU was picked 6th in the Big 12 preseason poll.

---

NCAA D2

UCO at Washburn

This is a rematch of the first round of the MIAA Tournament in 2024 that saw the Ichabods win back to back games to eliminate the Bronchos. Fortunately, UCO still received an at large bid to the Regional.

UCO is coming into the series winners of 9 straight after losing their first 2 games. They’ve scored double digit runs 4 of their last 6 games and have thrown 2 shutouts and 1, 1 run game. The Bronchos came in at #6 in the latest NCAA D2 Central Region rankings.

Washburn comes in with a 3-5 record. They have won their last 2 games. Due to weather, when these 2 teams face off on Sunday, it’ll be the Ichabods first game in 13 days.

SWOSU at Harding

Last week we had NWOSU vs Harding as one of our series to watch. Well, the Bisons handed the Rangers a 3 game sweep.

This week it’ll be the Bulldogs turn to take on the Bisons. Picked towards the bottom of the GAC Preseason Poll, SWOSU has been a pleasant surprise so far. They have a record of 8-2 and they split their 2 games with Arkansas Tech last weekend. The Wonder Boys were one of the GAC favorites in the preseason. (Their 3rd game was cancelled due to weather.)

Harding comes in at 10-1 and 7th in the Central Region rankings.

---

NAIA

Oklahoma City vs Southwestern Christian

Although it is the first conference series of the season for both teams, it could be crucial for both teams’ seasons and how they’ll play out the rest of the way.

OCU comes in at 4-6 with 2 wins vs Bellevue and the other 2 vs Sterling. The Stars have struggled out of the gate and it goes without saying they have performed below their usual expectations. A series win over SCU or better yet, a sweep could be a pivotal turning point to start their SAC season.

SCU comes in at 12-3 winning 12 straight. It goes without saying that the Eagles haven’t played the toughest schedule, but they have done what they are supposed to do with it. They have huge offensive numbers across the board and Zach Gaudreau has turned in 2 outstanding complete games in his last 2 starts. This will be a good litmus for SCU and a series win over a traditional SAC power could set them up for a run in the SAC.

This series will start with a DH at Putnam City High School on Saturday before moving to a 1 game on Sunday at OCU.

---

NJCAA

Carl Albert State vs Connors State

This is a good matchup of interdivisional teams.

CASC is 7-2 on the season sweeping SAU Tech, winning 2 of 3 from Rose State, and splitting 2 with Panola.

Connors State comes in at 9-1 having won 7 of their games vs non NJCAA opponents. The did win 2 of 3 from Murray State the 2nd weekend of the season.

---

Do you like the content that Sooner State Baseball Report provides? Show your support by purchasing an official SSBR shirt or hoodie at our online store at the link below.

Official Sooner State Baseball Report Merch

Like this content? Don’t miss any posts. Enter your email in the box below and have Sooner State Baseball Report content delivered right to your inbox.