The NOC Mavs Baseball team opens the 2026 season Feb. 6 at home against Iowa Lakes at noon for doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday.
The Mavs are coached by Jonathan Monk who replaced Michael Keeran. The Mavs were 50-9 and placed 3rd at the Region 2 Post Season Tournament in 2025.
"We are a very new club this year, and that is okay," Monk said. "These boys work hard, they love to compete in everything they do and won't shy away from a challenge. Our guys have punched the card since day one, we want to win in everything we do and they have done that. It's always interesting going into a year with a new coaching staff but our guys have embraced it."
Monk thinks the Mavs likes the Mavs' offense and the pitching staff.
"Our offense will be a staple of our program," he said. "We will be to score in multiple ways, we avoid being a one-dimensional offense. We have some guys that can play the game a little bit. On the pitching side, we're going to attack the strike zone. We have some guys that can pound the strike with two to three different pitches and get us off the field. We've made it a goal to be the best at the little things."
Monk said the coaching staff is working through the line-up options and pitching rotation for 2026 but said, "Our lineup is not set in stone. It is always changes, when you have good hitters, they make it challenge to get a starting nine set and we are continuing to evaluate our arms.
Key returnees include Bodee Mausser, Robert Evans who have starting experience and Collin Berry returns with experience in 2025.
Monk is excited to meet the Region 2 Challenge.
"Our region is one of the best to play in JUCO D2. Every year it is a challenge to be at the top of the league. We cannot take a weekend off or we are going to get punched in the mouth, we are going to have to play our best baseball every weekend."
Follow the Mavs at www.nocmavs.com .