The NOC Mavericks are set to open the 2018 baseball season this weekend hosting a four game series against Ellsworth Community College Friday and Saturday.

Maverick head coach Ryan Bay is starting his fourth year at the NOC Tonkawa helm.  Bay said the Mavs are looking to improve on their 32-25 record in 2017.

"We're excited to get started," Bay said this week.  "In looking at this team, it's the deepest team I've had in my four years especially on the mound.  We have a number of quality arms heading into this season.  Depth is so important in the line-up and on the mound, it's such a long season."

Four of those pitchers will be on display this weekend as the four starters for the series include freshmen Trevin Michael, Jack Edmondson and Korde Busby and sophomore Keegan Collett (1-2, 4.15 ERA).  The back end of the bullpen will be manned by sophomores Tanner Long and Kendel Foster (3-2, 6.00 ERA) along with freshman Chase Bridges.

"I like our staff," Bay said.  "I like our starters and our bullpen.  We have the ability to go deep in games and we have three pitchers that I think can close games and that's a good thing.  They are all different types of pitchers that are all effective.  We have some other pitchers that will be in the mix as well."

Offensively, the Mavs return sophomore outfielder Chris Cloud (.353 2 HR 31 RBI), first baseman Tanner Long (.366 3 HR 45 RBI), infielder Rhett Rutledge (.299 2 HR 13 RBI), outfielder Michael Murphy (.300 3 GR 13 RBI) and Kristopher Perez (.339 16 SB) though Perez will miss the first month of the season.

"I think we'll be versatile offensively," Bay said.  "I think we'll hit with some power but we can also manufacture runs by playing small ball.  I think we'll be able to score in different ways.  That is so important when the wind blows in one day and out the next."

"We have a really good group," Bay added.  "I like the culture these players have created, we have a number of high character student athletes."