The NOC Enid Jets open the season Saturday at David Allen Memorial Ballpark against Northeast Nebraska for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.

"Every start to a baseball season has excitement and potential so this year isn't much different," said coach Scott Mansfield.  "We're ready to get going, ready to be in the same dugout competing for the ultimate goal. Think we have some good talent, good depth but more importantly, this group seems really close which gives a lot of hope to the upcoming five months."

Mansfield said the Jets are going to be young in 2023 but NOC Enid does return three weekend rotation pitchers in Zach Roden, Jack Cline, and Robert Dibrell.

"We have some experience and maturity on the mound and both offensively and defensively," he said.

"We are young and inexperienced," he added.  "We have a lot of young pups that we are going to rely on this year so we'll see how they develop as the year goes along."

Region 2 is always a challenge and Mansfield said this year is no different.

"I think this region is one of the toughest in the nation and this year will be no exception," he said.  "I think the region just keeps growing with talent throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas and the additions of new teams over the years keeps the region very balanced and competitive top to bottom, every weekend series will be tough."

The tentative lineup for the Jets is Mason Poppen and Jase White at catcher, Nathan Gutierrez at first base, Conner Duncan and Kade Goeke at second base, Sammy Harris at shortstop, and Ty Chapman at third base.  The outfield includes Zane Chavez, Solomon James, and Owen Tracy and Brayden Bock at designated hitter.

The weekend rotation includes Roden, Cline, Dibrell, and Cameron Ebert while the back end of the pen will be Jesse Slimp and Josh Rains.