The Carl Albert State Baseball Resurgence: 5 Key Factors Behind The Vikings' 37-Win NJCAA Powerhouse

The Carl Albert State College (CASC) Vikings Baseball program is officially back on the map, transforming into one of the most compelling stories in NJCAA Division II baseball. As of the most recent updates in late 2025, the Vikings are riding the momentum of a spectacular 2024 season that saw them achieve a dominant 37-19 overall record, culminating in a strong 3rd-place finish in the highly competitive NJCAA Region II Tournament. This resurgence, spearheaded by the coaching staff and a potent offense, has set a high expectation for the upcoming 2025-2026 campaign, establishing the CASC program in Poteau, Oklahoma, as a must-watch junior college baseball powerhouse. The success of the Carl Albert State Vikings is not just a statistical anomaly; it is the result of a deliberate, multi-year plan focused on recruiting elite talent and building a culture of competitive excellence under the current leadership. The team’s impressive 2024 performance—which included a .322 team batting average and 47 home runs—demonstrates a balanced attack that few Region II opponents could contain, proving the Vikings are a perennial threat in Oklahoma's junior college baseball landscape.

Meet the Architect: Head Coach Paul Pulley and the CASC Coaching Staff

The recent success of the Carl Albert State Baseball program is inextricably linked to the leadership of Head Coach Paul Pulley. Pulley, who also serves as the Athletic Director for the college, is a respected figure in the junior college ranks, now entering his 5th year at the helm of the Vikings.

Paul Pulley Biography & Profile

• Role: Head Baseball Coach & Athletic Director
• Tenure at CASC: Entering his 5th season
• Hometown: Amarillo, Texas
• Impact: Led the Vikings to a 37-19 record and a 3rd-place finish in the 2024 NJCAA Region II Tournament after a down year in 2023.
• Philosophy: Known for building a program focused on player development and creating a high-octane offensive environment.

Coach Pulley is supported by a dedicated staff, including Assistant Coaches Gabriel Arroyo and John Long. This coaching collective is responsible for scouting, development, and maintaining the competitive edge necessary to navigate the challenging NJCAA Region II schedule, which features strong programs from Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The 2024 Season Recap: A Statistical Juggernaut

The 2024 season was a landmark year for the CASC Vikings, marking a significant turnaround and a return to the upper echelon of the NJCAA Division II standings. The team finished with a stellar 37-19 overall record, including a respectable 13-11 mark in conference play.

Dominant Offensive Metrics

The primary engine of the Vikings’ success was their explosive offense. The team’s final statistics for the 56-game season paint the picture of a lineup that was consistently dangerous:

• Total Runs Scored: 461
• Team Batting Average: .322
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .443
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .491
• Total Home Runs: 47

This combination of high average, exceptional on-base ability, and significant power (47 home runs) is rare and speaks to the quality of hitters recruited by Coach Pulley. The team’s ability to score 461 runs in just 56 games translates to an average of over 8 runs per game, a staggering figure at any level of college baseball.

The Region II Tournament Run

The season climaxed with the Vikings qualifying for the NJCAA Region II Tournament, a major achievement after a rebuilding year. The CASC Vikings battled through the bracket, ultimately securing a 3rd-place finish. This post-season performance is a crucial indicator of the program’s upward trajectory, demonstrating their ability to win high-pressure games against top-tier regional opponents like Murray State College and Western Oklahoma State College.

Looking Ahead: The 2025-2026 Season and Key Players

The momentum from the 2024 campaign has seamlessly transitioned into optimism for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The Vikings are poised to contend once again in the NJCAA Region II, thanks to the return of several key contributors and a fresh crop of incoming talent.

The Core of the Lineup

Coach Pulley has identified key returners who are expected to anchor the offense. The most notable names for the 2025 season are Dominic Ornelas and Jett Frazier. Both players are considered the "best bats returning" and are expected to carry the bulk of the offensive production, continuing the team’s tradition of high-scoring games. Their performance will be critical in the Vikings' quest to secure the Region II Championship title and advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series. The roster also includes promising young talent, such as an incoming freshman infielder from the Alberque Olimpico Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico and a freshman catcher from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City, signaling a wide recruiting net for the CASC program.

Early 2025-2026 Schedule Highlights

Fans of the CASC Vikings have a packed schedule to look forward to, with the team facing both regional rivals and non-conference tests early in the season. Key matchups in the fall and spring schedule include:

• Eastern Oklahoma State College
• National Park College
• Connors State College
• Missouri State University - West Plains

These early games are crucial for the team to gel and build chemistry before the rigorous Region II schedule begins, ensuring they are prepared for the high-stakes environment of junior college baseball.

A Legacy of Excellence: CASC’s History and Notable Alumni

Carl Albert State College has a deep and proud history in baseball, serving as a vital development platform for players seeking to advance to four-year universities and professional baseball. The program's legacy provides a strong foundation for the current success. The Vikings program has produced multiple NJCAA All-Americans over the decades, a testament to the quality of coaching and talent development in Poteau. Notable historical All-Americans include:

• Ronnie Sockey (1994, 1st Team)
• Kendall Dillon (1993, 2nd Team)
• Marlin Johnson (1993, 2nd Team)
• Will Klek (2017)
• Ben Klutts (2018)
• Morgan Crenshaw (2019)

The pathway for players moving on to higher levels remains a core focus. The program prides itself on transferring players to NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA schools across the country, continuing the tradition of the CASC Vikings as a launchpad for collegiate and professional baseball careers. The 2024 season’s success has only amplified the program's visibility, ensuring that the next generation of CASC players will have ample opportunities to move on.

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