LAS CRUCES, N.M. - After a historic start to the 2020 season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, New Mexico State baseball rolls on again this spring.

The Aggies, led by second-year head coach Mike Kirby, are officially set to play 55 scheduled games (34 road, 21 home), including 12 doubleheaders and 36 Western Athletic Conference contests, in the spring of 2021. NM State will also clash with Mountain West Conference foe UNLV, battle in-state rival New Mexico and face three Power Five opponents - Texas A&M, Oregon and Arizona - during the campaign.

"We couldn't be more excited to get going this year and continue the momentum from last season's historic start," Kirby said. "I'm incredibly proud of how hard our guys have worked throughout this pandemic. We've built a competitive, high-caliber schedule that'll challenge us early and often, preparing us for another pursuit of a conference title and a deep postseason run."

New Mexico State opens the season with 12 consecutive road tilts, beginning the year with a four-game series at UNLV (Feb. 19-21) in Las Vegas, Nev. The Aggies head to Abilene Christian the following weekend, going head-to-head with the Wildcats in another four-game set (Feb. 26-28) in Abilene, Texas.

The first midweek game of the year brings NM State to San Marcos, Texas. The Aggies play at Texas State on March 2.

New Mexico State then concludes its season-opening road swing at nationally ranked Texas A&M. The Aggies will travel to College Station, Texas, for the second time in as many years, playing three games against the fellow Aggies (March 5-7).

NM State is greeted by a nine-game homestand after 12 straight games on the road to begin the year. The location for Aggie home games - all 21 of them - during the 2021 season is still to be determined as Presley Askew Field currently remains unavailable to host contests due to the ongoing pandemic-related restrictions in the state of New Mexico.

The Aggies open up their homestand against WAC newcomer Dixie State, hosting the Trailblazers in a four-game set (March 12-14). A midweek clash at home against the Lobos on March 16 precedes New Mexico State's second conference series.

NM State welcomes in Northern Colorado for four games (March 19-21) before embarking on another 12-game road trip. The Aggies will head west to take on WAC foes Seattle U and Sacramento State as well as Pac-12 heavyweight Oregon.

New Mexico State and Seattle U close out the second month of the regular season, squaring off in a four-game series (March 26-28). The Aggies then kick off April with four games, including a Saturday doubleheader, against Oregon (April 1-3) in Eugene, Ore. The west coast jaunt winds down with four games at Sacramento State (April 9-11) in Sacramento, Calif. 

The Aggies return home to host WAC nemesis Grand Canyon in a four-game set (April 16-18) before hitting the road yet again. The season's third away trip includes a midweek clash against nationally ranked Arizona on April 20 in Tucson, Ariz., and four games at WAC newcomer Tarleton State (April 23-25) in Stephenville, Texas.

NM State rings in the final month of the regular season at home against WAC opponent UT Rio Grande Valley. Kirby's 37-man squad will host the Vaqueros for four games (April 30-May 2) before heading to Orem, Utah. New Mexico State will play four at WAC foe Utah Valley (May 7-9) and then host California Baptist (May 14-16) the very next weekend to conclude conference play.

The regular-season finale has the Aggies headed to Tucson once again. NM State clashes with Arizona on May 18 to close out the campaign.

The 2021 WAC Tournament is set to take place from May 26-30 in Tucson at Hohokam Stadium, the spring training home of the MLB's Oakland Athletics.

The Aggies return 22 standouts from last season's squad, including catcher Jason Bush, infielder Kevin Jimenez and outfielder Noah Haupt. Right-handed pitchers Chris Barraza and Chris Jefferson are also among NM State's group of key returnees.

Returning leadoff hitter Zerek Saenz, meanwhile, is one of the many Aggies drawing praise ahead of the 2021 campaign. The sophomore outfielder, who hit .344 with a .429 on-base percentage last season, was named to Perfect Game's Preseason All-WAC Team on Friday, Jan. 29.
 
For complete coverage of New Mexico State baseball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateBaseball), Instagram (@NMStateBaseball) and like us on Facebook (NM State Baseball).