DENVER – Highlighted by First Team All-WAC outfielder Zerek Saenz, the NM State Aggies baseball program placed seven members on the 2021 All-WAC team, the conference announced Tuesday.
The second-leading hitter (.384) in the WAC, Saenz led the conference in total hits (73) and on-base percentage (.473). 

In addition to Saenz, shortstop Brandon Dieter (.288 AVG, 14 2B, 8 HR, 44 RBIs), second baseman Kevin Jimenez (.321 AVG, 10 2B, 4 HR, 32 RBIs) and center fielder Tommy Tabak (.362 AVG, 11 XBH) were named to the All-WAC Second Team.

The Aggies final three honorees were right fielder Cal Villareal (.309 AVG, 10 XBH), first baseman Ethan Mann (.305 AVG, 11 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBIs) and starting pitcher Chris Jefferson (5-6, 4.21 ERA, 7 CG) who were all tabbed to the WAC honorable mention selections.

Mann's 50 RBIs led the WAC, while his 11 longballs were second in the conference. Jefferson's seven complete games led the country as well as the WAC. NMSU's seven all-conference selections were tied for the third-most in the WAC (UTRGV, Sac St). Grand Canyon led the way with 13 selections, followed by California Baptists eight.

The fourth-seeded Aggies open play at the 2021 WAC Tournament Wednesday night against fifth-seeded Seattle. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Jefferson slated to take the ball for the Aggies against Morgan White for Seattle.

Complete All-WAC Selections:

2021 First Team All-WAC
Catcher: Kaden Hollow, Fr., Dixie State
First Base: Ryan Walstad, Sr., Sacramento State
Second Base: Andy Atwood, Sr., UT Rio Grande Valley
Third Base: Jacob Wilson, Fr., Grand Canyon
Shortstop: Channy Ortiz, Sr., Grand Canyon
Outfield: Damon Keith, Jr., California Baptist
Outfield: Lane Pritchard, Sr., Dixie State
Outfield: Zerek Saenz, So., NM State
DH/Utility: Matt Smith, Sr., Sacramento State
At-Large: Elijah Buries, Fr., 1B, Grand Canyon
Starting Pitcher: Pierson Ohl, Jr., Grand Canyon
Starting Pitcher: Scott Randall, Jr., Sacramento State
Relief Pitcher: CJ Culpepper, Fr., California Baptist
At-Large: Kevin Stevens, Sr., RHP, UT Rio Grande Valley

2021 Second Team All-WAC
Catcher: Dawsen Bacho, Jr., Sacramento State
First Base: John Glenn, Sr., California Baptist
Second Base: Kevin Jimenez, So., NM State
Third Base: Steven Moretto, Jr., Sacramento State
Shortstop: Brandon Dieter, So., NM State
Outfield: Brock Burton, Sr., Grand Canyon
Outfield: Coleman Grubbs, Sr., UT Rio Grande Valley
Outfield: Tommy Tabak, Jr., NM State
DH/Utility: Tayler Aguilar, So., Grand Canyon
At-Large: Connor Clift, So., C, California Baptist
Starting Pitcher: Chris Burica, Sr., California Baptist
Starting Pitcher: Carter Young, Fr., Grand Canyon
Relief Pitcher: Frankie Scalzo, Sr., Grand Canyon
At-Large: Bryan Pope, Sr., RHP, California Baptist
 
Honorable Mention:
Bryan Aguilar, Tarleton; David Avitia, Grand Canyon; Chad Castillo, California Baptist; Juan Colato, Grand Canyon; Trevor Doyle, Sacramento State; Jake Engle, Dixie State; Garrett Fisher, Northern Colorado; Tyler Fowler, Tarleton; Dean Frew, Tarleton; Josh Glenn, Northern Colorado; Jack Gonzales, Dixie State; London Green, Tarleton; Jacob Hirsh, UT Rio Grande Valley; Chris Jefferson, NM State; Ethan Mann, NM State; Dawson McCarville, Grand Canyon; Ben McKay, Northern Colorado; RJ Ochoa, UT Rio Grande Valley; Wade Raburn, Tarleton; Freddy Rojas, Jr., UT Rio Grande Valley; Christian Sepulveda, UT Rio Grande Valley; Harrison Spohn, California Baptist; Shane Taylor, Dixie State; Kemuel Thomas-Rivera, Tarleton; Cade Verdusco, Grand Canyon; Cal Villareal, NM State; Jonny Weaver, Grand Canyon; AJ Wood, Tarleton; Jack Zalasky, Sacramento State