The NOC Tonkawa Mavs Softball Team opens the 2026 season Feb. 5 at Cisco, Texas
Coach Jeff Ray is starting is second season at NOC. The Mavs were 24-31 last season.
"I'm not quite sure what to expect this season," Ray said. "It all hinges on team chemistry when we get into conference play and how quickly some of these freshmen get rolling. We have all the talent and depth needed to compete for a region title, but it's all about who's playing together and for each other down the stretch."
Ray said depth is a strength of the 2026 Mavs.
"We're at least two deep at every position and our sophomore group got a ton of great experience last year as freshmen so we think we can lean on them a bit especially in the early going," he added. "We're very athletic and our outfield is deep and extremely strong."
Returnees for the Mavs include Kailey Rich (2B), Faith Williams (SS), Jadison Ackerman (LF), Kaidince Calvert (P), and Kennedy Zook (P)
A tentative line-up for the Mavs includes the following:
C - Paiton Hedges, Madyson Austin/Charley Carson
1B. - Brooklyn Ray, Paiton Hedges
2B - Kailey Rich, Riley Westmoreland
SS - Faith Williams
3B - Justyce Booker, Saffron Bowie
LF - So. Jadison Ackerman, So.Charley Carson
CF - Fr. Hailey Schutz, Fr. Riley Westmoreland
RF - Fr. Breanna Gomez, Fr. Caitlin Cooper
DP – Riley Westmoreland, Madyson Austin
In the circle, the Mavs will use the entire four person staff.
"We'll use all four of our pitchers with full confidence but you will probably see Adisyn Peetoom and Kaidince Calvert as game starters most of the time," Ray said. "Kennedy Zook and Angel Franklin will be available to come in to any game at any time. If we can get and stay healthy our pitching staff will be very solid this year."
The region is always challenging but Ray believes the Mavs can compete.
"The region is wide open again," he said. "Anyone can beat anyone on a given day. Three of the top pitchers graduated but a lot of talent returns throughout the region. And, it looks like everyone recruited well and reloaded. Seminole is bringing back a lot of talent and Coach Flores will have them ready. Rose has a ton of freshmen but their few returning sophomores have World Series experience. And, NEO has the best pitcher in the region."
The Mavs first home game is Feb. 19 when the Mavs host Independence.
Follow the Mavs at www.nocmavs.com .