The 8th ranked NOC Enid Jets opened the 2021 season with an 8-7 win over Hutchinson (KS) in nine innings.
The game see-sawed back and forth, the Jets took an early 4-0 lead and led 4-3 before Hutch took a 6-4 lead going to the 7th.
The Jets then rallied for two runs to tie the game at 6-6 on a Calyn Halvorson two-run homer and then took the lead for good scoring two runs on a Cale Savage single in the 8th to take an 8-6 lead.
The Jets then held for the 8-7 win, Trent Ritter got the last out to earn the save. Brandon Eropkin earned the win in relief tossing two innings allowing one run.
The Jets cranked four home runs at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. Brandon Lees, Cale Savage, Jordan Coffey, and Calyn Halvorson all went deep for the Jets, Zach Escovedo had three hits including a double. Savage also had three runs batted in.
"After being away from competition for nearly a year, it felt awesome to finally be at the ballpark competing with my team," said coach Scott Mansfield. "Their energy, their excitement, resolve and grit when faced with adversity are my biggest takeaways from today. The baseball will take care of itself, but they come with what they brought today, we're going to be in every game."
Thomas Kuykendall was the starter for the Jets followed by Jaron DeBerry and Piercen Mcelyea.
The Jets were out hit 12-11.
NOC (1-0) travels to Bixby Feb. 9 for a double header with Arkansas Baptist College.
Jets 8, Hutchinson 7 (9 innings)
123 456 789—R H E
Hutchinson 001 020 301—7 12 0
Jets 210 100 22x—8 11 2
Jets—Kuykendall, DeBerry (3), Mcelyea (5), Eropkin (7), Ritter (9) and Coffey. 2B—Escovedo. HR—Lees, Savage, Coffey, Halvorson. W—Eropkin (1-0). Save—Ritter (1).