LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State baseball program and head coach Mike Kirby have announced the signing of two more Division I transfers for next season. Will Sierra and Hayden Walker will make their ways to Las Cruces from Washington State and Pepperdine, respectively. 
 
Will Sierra | RHP | R-Sr. | 6'1" | Montreal, Canda | Washington State
 
In a two year career at Washington State, Sierra appeared in 27 games, mostly in relief. The right-hander posted a 3-2 career record with a 5.60 ERA throughout his time in Pullman.
 
Sierra was extremely efficient and displayed dominant a command of the strike zone. In 35.1 innings as a member of the Cougars, Sierra struck out 44 opposing hitters – Good for 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Through this point in the 2022 season, only two pitchers in Major League Baseball have a higher strikeouts per nine innings rate than Sierra's 11.3.
 
Before going to Washington State, Sierra attended Chipola College in Florida where he earned a redshirt year before heading to Yavapai College in Arizona for two seasons. In two seasons at the junior college level, Sierra posted a 4-1 record with 61 strikeouts in 46.1 innings.
 
Previously, Sierra was a member of the Team Canada Junior National Team from 2015-2017 and played for Team Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Championships. Sierra was also named Preseason All-Canada Twice and selected in the 28th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets.
 
Hayden Walker | RHP | Jr. | 6'2" | Corrales, N.M. | Pepperdine
 
Hayden Walker, a New Mexico native, will waste no time getting used to his new home in Las Cruces. The former Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year and graduate of St. Pius X High School, Walker will look to make an immediate impact in his home state.
 
This season, Walker totaled 4.1 innings of work at Peppedine, tallying five strikeouts. Against Long Beach State, Walker worked 2.0 innings, striking out three and allowing just one run. In his first two appearances of the season, Walker held Villanova and UCLA without an earned run.
 
As a true freshman, Walker made six appearances and totaled 5.2 innings of action. He earned his first career win on March 24, 2021 at Grand Canyon, working 2.2 scoreless innings and matching his season-high with two strikeouts.
 
In addition to being the Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year as a junior, Walker was also named the 4A Player of the Year, All-State first team, All-Metro first team, and All-District first team. At St. Pius X, Walker posted video game numbers for a stat line – 0.48 ERA, 0.621 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts.
 
What They're Saying
Pitching coach Keith Zuniga on Sierra | "Will has an electric arm that will come in and make an impact right away. He can run it up to 96 with a power slider to put you away. We are looking forward to having his experience on the Aggie pitching staff."
 
Zuniga on Walker | "Hayden can really pitch, a southpaw with the ability to change speeds. Hayden's mentality and pitch ability instantly makes us better."