The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on Feb. 23 for classes A and B and Mar. 1 for classes 2A-6A, opening day for regular season action under OSSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down to the official Prep Baseball Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Noble
Head Coach: Erik Hughes (12 years)
Classification: 5A
2025 Record (Finish): 26-12, State Semifinals

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2026 SEASON OUTLOOK

No. of Returning Position Players: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

Top Returners:

• Weston Randolph: INF/P, R/R. Hutchinson CC commit.
• Jackson Steely: C/INF/P, R/R. Western OK State JC commit.
• Trent Shortes: INF/P, R/R.
• Hayden Clement: INF/P, R/R.
  

Top Newcomers:

• Hayden Kudrna: OF/P, JR, R/R.
• Brodie Smith: 1B/P, SO, L/L.

Key Players Lost:

• Bryson Carey (Eastern OK State JC)
• Colton Williams

Coach’s Insight: “Our team strength is our boys know how to win and are experienced. We have six seniors this year who have never missed the state tournament. Still need to fill a few spots in the lineup with young or inexperienced players. ” – Erik Hughes, head coach

Outlook: A perennial contender, Noble is primed for another state tourney run with belief they can use their veteran experience to take the next step in 2026. They return numerous players that have made multiple trips to the state tournament and are led by six seniors that will lead them on both sides of the ball. Another important factor in that leadership is that many of them will play throughout the middle of the diamond where there is even more value with experience. Offensively, expect the Bears to be athletic with the ability to create offense in a variety of ways as well as consistently pressure opposing defenses. Noble is on the shortlist to contend for a 5A State Title in 2026 utilizing veteran leadership and experience in all phases of the game.

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Find more information on the 2026 Noble program below:

+ Follow them on X: @BaseballNoble
+ Visit Prep Baseball Oklahoma’s 2026 OSSAA Team Previews page to learn more.

+ If you are a high school coach and didn’t receive our questionnaire, please click HERE to fill out the form

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