New Mexico State Aggies
Overall Rank: #39
Conference Rank: #3 WAC
New Mexico State
The Aggie’s high octane offense propelled the program to its first ever NCAA regional appearance in 2011. The team scored a total of 423 runs, paced by Hoku Nohara, who hit .426, led the team with 24 homeruns and 73 RBI. Nohara was a total dominating force and replacing her is going to be a challenge. But a very talented team is returning in 2012 and will be primed for another run at an NCAA Tournament berth.
2011: 44-17, 17-4
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Kathy Rodolph
Field Players:
Utility player Tiarre Jennings is going to sorely be needed to anchor the New Mexico State offense early on as the rest of the lineup develops. She is the returning offensive leader in just about every offensive category for the Aggies. Tehani Kaaihue will be needed to build on her eight stolen bases and become the threat that Kylie Randall was a year ago as speed has definitely helped elevate the offense to a higher level along with the ability to hit for contact and power.
Pitchers:
Both Alex Newman, the team’s workhorse in 2011 with a 23-6 record, and Celisha Walker return to the circle for Coach Kathy Rodolph’s squad. The numbers for pitchers at New Mexico State are tougher to analyze since they play so many games in Las Cruces at such a higher elevation than most college programs. If they can keep their pitching numbers to just a three earned run average wise, or in the low threes, they should win a lot of ball games with such an explosive offense to back them up.
Who to Watch:
Incoming freshman pitcher Karysta Donisthorpe could crack the pitching rotation right away as she earned 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Second team high school All-American honors. She was part of five state championships in her high school career. She also would bring a very dominant strikeout pitcher mentality to the circle, which would complement Alex Newman and Celisha Walker nicely in 2012.
Final Projection:
The preseason schedule is going to be a huge test for New Mexico State, taking on the likes of Cal, Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State, along with East Carolina, the reigning C-USA champions. This team can hit with anyone in the nation. They won the overall NCAA batting title in 2009, and last year hit .341 while scoring around six runs a game. The losses of Hoku Nohara’s power will be a challenge, along with the blazing speed of Kylie Randall, who stole 40 bases. But this Aggie program has plenty of offensive pop returning in Jennings and Valarie Swedberg, so runs should not be an issue in 2012. Also, the WAC Conference tournament is being held in Las Cruces, which should help the Aggies a great deal not having to travel as they fight to return to postseason play in 2012.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Tiarre Jennings, UT, 175
Hits: Tiarre Jennings, UT, 64
Home Runs: Tiarre Jennings, UT, 15
RBIs: Tiarre Jennings, UT, 56
Runs: Tiarre Jennings, UT, 64
Stolen Bases: Tehaani Kaaihue UT, 8
Wins: Alex Newman, P, 23
Innings Pitched: Alex Newman, P, 166
Strikeouts: Alex Newman, P, 86
Saves: Celisha Walker, P, 3
