The 2023 McLennan Baseball season will open Friday with the Highlanders ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA Division I Preseason Rankings.

Central Arizona, the 2022 National Champion is No. 1, followed by Walters State (Tennessee) at No. 2 and McLennan at No. 3. Central Florida comes in at No. 4 and Crowder at No. 5.

San Jacinto, a non-conference opponent of the Highlanders, is No. 6, and New Mexico, also from Region V, is receiving votes.

McLennan opens the season Friday at 1 p.m. against the Navarro Bulldogs.