Home at Last, NM State Hosts Dixie State to Begin WAC Play

Thursday 03/11/2021 | By: NM State Athletics Media Relations

Aggies host first home NM State athletics events since March 11, 2020

LEADOFF HITS
• The Aggies are back in Las Cruces. For the first time in 366 days, NM State has the opportunity to host home games and the Aggies will be the first squad since March 11, 2020 to do so when they host WAC newcomer Dixie State for a four-game league series at Presley Askew Field.
• Limited tickets for the four-game series will be available. Tickets will only be sold on-site at Presley Askew Field with sales beginning one hour prior to the start times of each day's game. All fans in attendance must wear masks and follow all social distancing guidelines at all times. Concessions will not be available, so as a result fans will be able to bring in food and beverages with the exception of alcohol and coolers.
• Fans unable to attend the games can follow along with a live stream of each game on the WAC Digital Network as well as live statistical coverage for all games.
• Head coach Mike Kirby will make his WAC debut when he leads the Aggies into battle this weekend. NM State's 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before WAC play began.
• The Aggies are 181-189-2 all-time in WAC play. In the team's most recent showing in WAC action, NM State went 19-8 in the 2019 season.
• Zerek Saenz enters the weekend series as one of the Aggies' best hitters. Riding a three-game hitting streak, Saenz's slash line of .350/.364/.500 is made possible in part by a team-high seven hits.
• Designated hitter Jake Baer has been a threat at the plate for NM State, too. Through his five games, Baer has put forth two multi-hit efforts and his slash line of .545/.583/.818 features the team's top slugging percentage.
• Right-hander Josh Laukkanen has accumulated a team-high 11 of the Aggie pitching staff's 47 strikeouts this year.
• Senior Chris Jefferson has fired a team-high 12 2/3 innings in 2021 and has the team's lone pitching win thus far.

SCOUTING DIXIE STATE | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATISTICS
• For their first WAC series in program history, the Trailblazers head to Las Cruces to cap off a seven-game road trip.
• Dixie State has yet to win a game this year, having gone 0-7 through the early stages of 2021. The Trailblazers hosted Pac-12 foe Washington State for a four-game series to start the year before heading to Wichita State for a three-game set with the Shockers last weekend.
• Friday night starter Jimmy Borzone is the ace of the Trailblazers' pitching staff. He enters with a deceptive 0-1 record as his 1.35 ERA, 13 1/3 innings of work and 14 strikeouts are all team bests.
• Senior utility man Jake Engle is one of two Dixie State regulars batting over .300 on the year. His .318 average is tops on the team and he also leads the squad in runs scored (five), RBI (four), home runs (two), slugging percentage (.591) and on-base percentage (.464).

ON DECK
• The Aggies will step out of WAC play early next week for a showdown with a non-conference opponent who has yet to be determined. That game will likely be Tuesday at a time to be determined at Presley Askew Field. Once an opponent, time and day for that game is set, it will be announced on NMStateSports.com as well as the Aggies' social media channels.

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Aggies host first home NM State athletics events since March 11, 2020

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