LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State baseball team looks to bounce back after a loss to Arizona in midweek play. The Aggies host conference-foe Stephen F. Austin for a three-game set, beginning Friday night at 6:00 p.m. at Presley Askew Field.
Unlike most Saturday games for NM State, the game on April 15 will begin at 6:00 p.m. MT. For fans who cannot make it to The 'Skew, you can watch the Saturday contest from the comfort of your couch on Bally Sports Arizona, Comcast New Mexico, or ESPN+.
Stephen F. Austin enters the series on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Tarleton last weekend. After being selected last in the WAC's preseason poll, the 'Jacks have won ten of their last eleven games and sit in second place entering the weekend series.
News and Notes
SCOUTING THE 'JACKS
Stephen F. Austin enters on a three-game winning streak following a sweep of Tarleton. The 'Jacks enter the weekend set with a record of 16-14 (10-5 WAC) and remain in second place in the conference.
KRUSH IT KEV
With six home runs this season,
Kevin Jimenez has set a new career-high in long balls. The senior second baseman leads NM State in batting average (.326), slugging percentage (.568), hits (31), runs (17), doubles (5), home runs (6), total bases (49), total bases (54), sacrifice flies (2), and games played (26).
INNINGS EATER
Heading into the weekend series, Friday night starter
Treyjen Meza is second in the WAC in innings pitched with 47.1, trailing Zach Thornton of Grand Canyon by just 0.2 innings.
PEN PALS
Out of the bullpen,
Matthew Maloney and
Noah Estrella have been a dynamic duo as of late. Over his last seven appearances, totaling 12.1 innings, Maloney has allowed just one run. Against California Baptist, Maloney pitched 5.2 shutout innings, allowing just one hit.
Throughout the season, Estrella has posted a 1.52 ERA in 13 appearances, including two against California Baptist.
KEITH ZUNIGA'S PUNCH-OUT!!
In the three-game set against California Baptist, Zuniga's pitching staff struck out 36 hitters, including a season-high 15 strikeouts on Thursday. The mark is the new high for a series this season, surpassing 31 punch-outs against Bellarmine on Opening Weekend.
LIVE FROM LAS CRUCES
Each of the next four games for NM State will be at home, beginning with the weekend series against Stephen F. Austin for a trio. The home stand wrap ups with a midweek game against in-state rival New Mexico.
FOR THE RECORD...
Infielder
Kevin Jimenez sits inside or near the top-ten in NM State school history for many offensive categories. With 50 career doubles, Jimenez needs just 11 this season to become NM State's all-time two-bag leader.
WALK IT OUT
Kevin Jimenez has drawn 122 career walks - The third most in NM State history. Jimenez passed Chris Fanning (1988-91) on April 8 vs. California Baptist.
Jimenez sits 20 walks behind Richard Stout (2007-09; 142) to move into a tie for second place.
