LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State softball concluded another remarkable season ranked among the nation's best. The Aggies closed out the 2017 season by finishing in the top 10 in three offensive categories..

NM State ranked ninth in batting average (.325) and 10^th in both on-base percentage (.414) and slugging percentage (.501). New Mexico State was also 16^th in scoring (5.93), 23^rd in doubles per game (1.48) and 25^th in home runs per game (0.96). On defense, the Aggies averaged 0.41 double plays per game which ranked 47^th in the country.

Kelsey Horton posted top-notch numbers in 2017. The sophomore ranked 16^th nationally in RBI per game (1.09), 20^th in slugging percentage (.799), 21^st in RBI (59), 22^nd in home runs (16) and total bases (131), 27^th in runs per game (0.96), 29^th in home runs per game (0.30), 37^th in on-base percentage (.505) and 38^th in batting average (.415). Horton was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Pacific Region Second Team.

In addition to the national rankings, NM State finished first among Western Athletic Conference teams in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs (52), RBI (294), runs scored (320), and stolen bases (65). Horton led the league in batting average, slugging percentage, total bases, RBI, home runs and runs scored (52). Fahren Glackin led the conference with 30 walks and Nikki Butler was hit by a pitch a league-high 13 times. Haley Nakamura put down nine sacrifice bunts and Rachel Rodriguez recorded 22 stolen bases.

New Mexico State concluded the 2017 season with a 29-25 overall record and an 11-4 record in conference play. In addition to the regular-season title, Victoria Castro, Kayla Green, and Glackin were named to the All-WAC Second Team while Butler, Horton and Rodriguez were named to the All-WAC First Team. Horton was also named the WAC Player of the Year.

After winning the conference tournament for the second time in three seasons, Samaria Diaz, Misty Hoohuli, Castro and Rodriguez were named to the all-tournament team with Rodriguez receiving the coveted most valuable player award.

Many Aggies finished the 2017 season with their names in the New Mexico State record books, Rodriguez moved into second place all-time with 69 career stolen bases. In the single season record books, Horton finished third in batting average and slugging percentage. She also concluded the season tied for fifth in home runs and total bases. Green tied the program record with four saves during the season. Butler set the new single-season record for hit-by-pitch.