The NOC Mavs Baseball Team opens the season this weekend hosting a four-game series against Des Moines Area Community College.

  First pitch is noon Saturday and Sunday.

  Coach Ryan Bay enters his ninth season at the Maverick helm.

"There's a lot to like about this team," Bay said.  "We've got good balance offensively with several quality hitters from both sides of the plate and some guys with some pop that will hit for power as well as some speed guys that can set a table for us."

"Our pitching staff continues to improve each week.  If we can stay healthy on the mound we'll be very competitive in Region 2."

What does Bay see as his team's strengths in 2023.

"We're pretty balanced at the plate and on the mound in terms of lefty/righty matchups. That should give us an advantage matching up with how teams try to line up with us this spring," he said.  This will be one of the better hitting teams we've had in the past 2-3 years."

As with any team, health is a key concern.

"We have to stay healthy, that's always my biggest concern," he said.  "With good health, we can be a very competitive team that can beat anyone on any given day."

Traditionally, Region 2 is one of the toughest in the nation and 2023 is no different.

"It's the best Region in all of NJCAA D2.  Every series is tough…but it's also a lot of fun.

Bay said he plans to use a number of position players in 2023.

Handling the catching will be Mitchell Lucero and Nate Windle with Bradley Castillo in the mix after he recovers from shoulder surgery.

The first base and designated hitter duties will start with Cade Tucker and Enrique Alvarez Jr. seeing duty at both.  Second base will start 2023 with a Jaxon Olive and Matt Stancliff platoon.

Darian Duhon starts the season at third base with Cash Jay handling duties at shortstop.  Elijah Laus provides depth at both spots.

Vying for playing time in the outfield are Preston Knott and Garrison Brandt in left field, Jaylyn Bennett and Thomas Dunn in centerfield though Bennett is out this weekend with injury.   Brandt and Kelly Yancy will man right field for the Mavs.

The current weekend rotation includes Graeme Rios and Eli Cartwright on Saturday and Brenden Kamnick and Caleb Lunnon on Sunday.  Caden Fiveash will return to the rotation in mid-February.

The back end of the bullpen includes Windle, Rios, and Gage Norvell.