The NOC Enid Jets open play in the 2019 NJCAA Division 2 World Series Saturday at 4 p.m. against Kellogg (MI) due to Friday's rains.
The #13 Jets (38-17) enter the series as the #5 seed while first round opponent #12 Kellogg (39-13) is the #4 seed.
NOC Enid comes into the series with a wave of momentum having beaten Redlands twice in the Region 2 Final on May 12. Kellogg qualified for the series defeating Cuyahoga (OH) in the Region 12 title game May 17.
The winner of the Jets-Bruin match-up plays the Pearl (MS)/Pasco Hernando State (FL)/Lackawanna (PA) winner match-up at 7:15 p.m. Monday.
The loser of the Jets-Bruins match-up faces the Pasco-Hernando State (FL)/Lackawanna (PA) loser at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The Jets are fortunate to play in the friendly confines of David Allen Memorial Ballpark, a park the Jets play their home games.
"We play most of our schedule at David Allen so there is a level of comfort playing in your home ballpark," said Jets' head coach Raydon Leaton. "Also the fan support we get is tremendous and provides a definite advantage.
The Jets finished 3rd in 2018 eliminated by eventual champion LSU-Eunice.
Leaton said that experience is valuable.
"I think it's huge," he said. "We won't be overwhelmed or nervous because of the run we made last year. These guys have played in a lot of big games and will be ready for this one."
Leaton and his team aren't strangers to big games so what advice does he gives to the Jets' players.
"Embrace the moment," he said. "The hardest part is getting to the series. Once you are there, play loose and represent your team mates, college, and community in a first class manner."
The Jets won the Region 2 Tournament with a 5-1 record winning five games in four days. The Jets won four straight including a win over #5 Western, Carl Albert, and then two wins over Redlands.
NOC Enid finished the Region 2 conference in 2nd place with a 13-8 record. Kellogg won the MCCAA Western Division with a 26-2 record.
The Bruins lost eight of their first 10 games and then won 37 of their final 40 games. Six of the Bruins' losses were to LSU-Eunice and Sinclair (OH) both teams ranked in the top five in 2019.
Team rankings are as of the final rankings released May 14.