LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State baseball team hits the road to open Western Athletic Conference play against Seattle U this weekend. The three-game weekend series is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 31, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. MT. 
 
PROBABLE STARTERS
NM State's rotation for the weekend features the same starters who threw last weekend at UC Santa Barbara.
 
On Friday, the Aggies roll out right-hander Kyle Bradish (3-0, 2.53 ERA) against the Redhawks' lefty Jake Prizina (3-0, 3.52 ERA). Saturday's contest features NM State's RHP Marcel Renteria (3-2, 4.34 ERA) versus Jansen Junk (3-3, 5.40 ERA). NM State will hand the ball to the southpaw Johnathan Groff (2-4, 3.68 ERA) while Seattle U counters with a lefty of its own in Nathan Bonck (0-2, 14.40 ERA).
 
CATCH THE ACTION
All three of the Aggies' weekend games can be watched online with Friday's series opener broadcast on the WAC Digital Network. Saturday and Sunday's action can be seen on www.GoSeattleU.com/liveEvents.
 
All three games against Seattle U can also be heard on 91.5 FM KRUX with Adam Young on the call.
 
GET CONNECTED
Get up to the minute information and news about the NM State baseball team all season on Twitter, and Instagram by following @NMStateBaseball and on Facebook.com/NMSUAthletics.
 
GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS NOW!
With the start of the 2017 season tickets, Aggie fans can be a part of the action for all 23 home games (including three double-headers) for just $100 per seat. Season tickets will guarantee fans a seat in the reserved section of 104 behind home plate. Fans can purchase 2017 Aggie baseball season tickets by going to the Pan American Center ticket office or by calling 575-646-1420.
 
SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS
Seattle U enters the weekend at 8-15 overall and 1-2 in WAC play. The Redhawks posts a 3-7 record in their last 10 games.
 
At the plate, SU is led by freshman Austin Lively who owns a .361 batting average with three stolen bases. Just behind Lively is senior Aaron Stroosma with a .360 average and a team-leading three home runs, 23 RBI and .448 on-base percentage.
 
Friday's starter, Jake Prizina, leads the team with a 3-0 record in six starts while throwing 38.1 innings with a 3.53 ERA and only allowed eight extra-base hits.
 
The last time these two teams squared off was in the WAC Tournament back on May 28, 2016. That game ended in a 12-10 affair that went in favor of Seattle U, which ended the Aggies' historic season in 2016.
 
WAC OPENERS
Since joining the WAC in 2006, NM State is 6-5 when playing in conference openers and 21-14-2 in conference-opening series. The Aggies are 1-1 in their WAC-opening games and 4-1-1 on opening weekend under third-year head coach Brian Green.
 
PREVIEWING THE WAC
NM State is the final WAC team to open conference play heading into this weekend's contest while the eight other teams opened conference action last weekend. The current standings in conference play have Northern Colorado, Utah Valley and Grand Canyon at the top, while the Aggies have the third best winning percentage overall in the WAC at .538 (14-12).
 
Statistically, the team also leads the conference in nine key offensive categories which include batting average (.319), slugging percentage (.467), on-base percentage (.408), runs scored (203), hits (292), RBI (185), doubles (54), triples (12) and total bases (427).
 
ROAD WARRIORS
After the weekend tilt against the Redhawks, the Aggies wrap up a schedule which put them on the road in 14 of their last 15 contests.
 
The road stretch puts NM State up against three College World Series participants (Arizona, Utah and UC Santa Barbara). Heading into the weekend match-up, the Aggies are 5-6 in true road games.
 
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Last Friday's victory for NM State over UC Santa Barbara saw multiple Aggies knock another thing off their checklists for the season's stat sheet.
 
In the fifth inning of the contest, Austin Botello smacked a two-out grand slam to give the Aggies the lead 5-3. This was the first grand slam of the season for the team.
 
Then, in the sixth inning, Matthew McHugh made his first appearance of the season in relief as the senior threw three scoreless innings of baseball while only allowing one hit. This secured a 7-3 victory for the Aggies and earned McHugh his first save of the season.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The previous game for the Aggies saw them fall to Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico, 5-3, on Tuesday night at Presley Askew Field.
 
NM State recorded more hits than the Lobos (9-7), and left seven runners stranded. The Aggies also went deep into its bullpen on Tuesday, needing the services of 10 pitchers while Joseph Standley (1-1, 11.12 ERA) was charged with the loss after surrendering the go-ahead run in the fifth.
 
UP NEXT
Following the three games against Seattle U, New Mexico State returns home as the team gets set to host No. 4 Texas Tech on Tuesday, April 4.