The Aggies continue to hold their own against all conference opponents just four years into their WAC membership. Ole Pete never gets tired of pointing out the facts regarding New Mexico State’s abilities when compared to those who are long term members of the league.

 

Two more sports on the main campus are poised for a serious run at their first WAC title this spring. Both Rocky Ward’s and Kathy Rodolph’s diamond teams are near the top of the league and poised to bring home the title trophy with a continuation of the good play to date. Rodolph’s softball squad is not only winning in style, its also resetting some team records with abandon. Freshman infielder Tiare Jennings set three single-season records for home runs, RBIs and runs scored. Her name is now atop NM State’s single-season home run list with 15, two more than Christine Stephens’ record, which was set in 2002.  Jennings also broke the single-season run scored record with 47 on the season moving ahead of senior outfielder Kristi Randall’s record of 45 set two seasons ago.

 

Senior pitching ace Kim Watson set an all-time career record for wins when the Aggies downed Boise State last weekend. Pitching is darn near everything in college softball and Rodolph has one of the league’s best in Watson. She set NM State’s career-win record with 59 moving ahead of Danny Dunn’s 12-year-old record of 58. This year the power in the league is shared by Nevada, Fresno State and Hawai’i. NM State is within a game of the top spot with the stretch drive underway.

 

Similarly, Ward has his baseball team atop the standings with two of the last three league series at home. The crew puts a wrap on the season in Ruston, La., in mid-May versus Louisiana Tech. I mentioned a league championship was in the offing and the Aggies can claim both with a continuation of the renewed fire this year. After the two week road trip for the men, can there be any doubts about the ‘Rock shoring up areas that needed it?

 

Ole Pete is used to bringing an adding machine to the games figuring they were all gonna be scoring contests as in the past. The defense is solid as can be and the starting and relief pitching is like never before the Aggies and close games are now going in the win column instead of being fuel for coulda, shoulda, woulda talks that follow a loss.

 

Men’s basketball, volleyball and golf have claimed WAC titles in the short time NM State has been in the league. If you were one of those who didn’t think we belonged, wise up. The title train is making regular stops now in Las Cruces.