Courtesy: New Mexico State University           Release: 11/05/2009

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - After taking the program to new heights in 2009, head coach Rocky Ward and company have only scratched the surface of the Western Athletic Conference, in what could be another New Mexico State baseball team led by a power-packed lineup.

The Aggies won 44 games last season, improving the previous season’s mark by 16 victories, and breaking the record held by the 2003 NM State baseball team that won 43 games as part of the Sun Belt Conference.

“We want to finish what we started last year and win the WAC,” Ward said. “Last year’s team left us with a nice precedence as to what we want to do here.”

In a season that saw the team break 16 team records and five individual records, the Aggies came one victory short of stepping into the NCAA Tournament. NM State lost in the WAC championship to Fresno State, but gained the necessary tournament experience to build on.

“A lot of people underestimate tournament experience, but it really goes a long way,” Ward said.

The team’s biggest loss for the 2010 baseball team is first team all-American shortstop Bryan Marquez (Bonny Lake, Wash.), who won numerous awards and led the team in several offensive categories.

“I think we have some players who can step in and fill his numbers, but what will be missed will be his leadership capabilities,” Ward said. “He worked hard and led by example.”

One of the team’s strengths however, will be returning key players.

Shouldering the offensive load for the Aggies will be seniors Mike Sodders (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Wade Reynoso (Redwood City, Calif.), Ben Harty (Bellevue, Wash.), Nate Shaver (The Dalles, Ore.), Leo Aguirre (Austin, Texas) and Chris Auten (Agoura Hills, Calif.), who is currently on a 24-hitting streak through two years. 

Auten only played three games in 2009 and was awarded a medical red shirt last season after suffering an offseason injury. The streak began against Fresno State April 20, 2008.

Last season, Sodders led the team with a .422 batting average. Harty was second behind Marquez with 17 home runs and Sodders and Reynoso were also second on the team with 68 RBIs behind Marquez.

Leading the pitching staff will be last season’s No. 1 starter, senior D.J. Simon (Susanville, Calif.), who posted a 9-1 record with a 4.55 ERA and 87 innings pitched. He also led the team in strikeouts by fanning 71 batters.

Also returning will be starter Jared Jordan (Moreno, Calif.), who compiled a 7-3 record with a 5.71 ERA, while throwing 69.1 innings.

Home-grown sophomores Scott Coffman (Albuquerque) and Justin Cooper (Roswell, N.M.) and freshman Randy Montoya (Las Cruces), and junior college transfers Daniel Reid (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) and Thomas Brendel (Glendale Community College), are getting a look in the fall to possibly round out the rest of the starters.

In the bullpen, seniors Daniel Reyes (West Covina, Calif.) and Steven Anderson (Markham, Ontario) and freshmen Tyler Mack (Katy, Texas) and Joseph Koerper (Las Cruces) are auditioning for late inning roles.

“We’ve added what we had last year,” Ward said. “We have a group of power arms that will be coming out of the bullpen.”

The Aggies will also have two lefties coming out of the bullpen – junior college transfer Matthew Kretchmer (Cuesta College) and freshman Ryan Beck (Fort Collins, Colo.), something the team lacked last season.

This year’s recruiting class has some top-notch talent that is expected to contribute immediately.

“We think this freshman class is as good as we’ve had,” Ward said.

Leading the group are catcher Zach Fisher (Fontana, Calif.), infielder Parker Hipp (San Diego, Calif.) and outfielder Conner Eppard.

“These top three freshmen have performed themselves to the top of the group,” Ward said.

This fall the team has been spending a lot of time learning what Ward calls the “triple-threat hitting system.”

“We’re indoctrinating the new players to hit above .300, hit for power and lay down a bunt,” Ward said. “They’re expected to do a lot more than they’ve ever been expected to do.”

Players are learning to execute the fundamentals – advancing runners via bunting, the sacrifice fly and the hit and run, while avoiding grounding into double plays or popping out.

The “triple-threat hitting system” has garnered the Aggies national offensive rankings throughout the years.

Also in the fall, pitchers have been participating in drills to strengthen their arms to enable them to pitch deep into games and avoid injury.

“If you train pitchers right, they can throw on back-to-back days, which can serve great value in the conference tournament,” Ward said.

The team has been spending a considerable amount of time playing scrimmages to simulate live game situations.

“Our philosophy is that live plays train players faster than in practice,” Ward said.

NM State will begin playing the seven game Aggie World Series Saturday, Nov. 7-17, to prepare for spring play. The team opens the season Friday, Feb. 19, against Washington, in the Cactus Classic in Tucson, Ariz.