Ole Pete is a fan of those who can hit that horsehide around Presley Askew Field. The New Mexico State baseball team is off to a great 17-2 start and hosting a west coast opponent this weekend. Head coach Rocky Ward has never been known to get caught short of hitters and this year is no different.

Two different Aggies have been named WAC Hitter of the Week and the season is barely a month old. The first Aggie to claim the honor was senior Jeff Farnham, who earned the award for his play, Feb. 23-March 1. This is the first time Farnham has earned the player of the week honor. The Las Vegas, Nev., native hit .786 while helping the Aggies to a four-game sweep over Chicago State. Farnham went 11-for-14 at the plate with 11 RBIs, including a career-high six RBIs in a 13-6 win in game one of a doubleheader.

He also hit a home run in the first game versus Northern Colorado, March 14, and followed it up with a second home run in the nightcap. Farnham’s a fast one as he was successful on three stolen base attempts. He led the Aggies that week in slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while posting three walks and 20 putouts for a perfect fielding percentage. Now don’t you start thinking he’s a show off cause another Aggie his polishing his buttons over the same recognition.

Senior shortstop Bryan Marquez not only became the WAC Hitter of the Week he also was named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week. Marquez had spectacular performances from March 9-15. He started the week helping to pull-off a 5-4 victory over in-state rival New Mexico in Albuquerque,  as he got on base with a single right before his teammate brought him across the plate with a home run.

Marquez picked up a season-high in at-bats, hits  and tied a career-high in RBIs  as he hit a solo home run and the game-tying grand slam to lead NM State to a 10-inning, 11-10 victory over Northern Colorado, March 15.  It was his second grand slam of the weekend, while he accounted for eight of the Aggies 11 runs that day with five RBIs, while crossing the plate three times.  It third time this season Marquez has hit two homers in a game, while he leads the conference with 10 on the season. 

Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, San Francisco visits Askew Field. The Dons play in the tough West Coast Conference and are a real test for Ward’s squad and a real treat for the fans. Four days of fun, great spring weather and Aggie baseball. Hmmmm life is good.