COACH: Rocky Ward
RECORD: 41-15 overall, 12-12 WAC
VS. UH: Split series at New Mexico
VS. OTHERS: 3-1 vs. Sacramento State; 2-2 at Fresno State; 2-2 at Nevada; 1-3 vs. San Jose State; 2-2 at LA Tech.
RPI: 140
PLAYERS TO WATCH: DH Mike Sodders (.426, 16 doubles, 13 HRs, 65 RBIs), SS Bryan Marquez (.421, 12 doubles, 22 HRs, 76 runs, 81 RBIs, 44 walks), 1B Leo Aguirre (.416, 8 HRs, 42 RBIs), C Jeffrey Farnham (.388, 15 doubles, 13 HRs, 69 runs, 75 RBIs, 18 steals), 3B Wade Reynoso (.386, 15 double, 11 HRs, 66 RBIs), OF Richard Stout (.353, 68 runs, 40 RBIs, 53 walks, 21 steals), OF Nate Shaver (.350, 15 doubles, 9 HRs, 68 runs, 56 RBIs), 1B Ben Harty (.271, 16 doubles, 17 HR, 58 RBIs).
OUTLOOK: Granted, the Aggies played a less-than challenging non-conference schedule (29-3), but there's no way of masking a .476 on-base percentage, a good 54 points better than the next closest WAC team and 108 points better than the Rainbows. With runners on base nearly half the time, it's easy to see why the Aggies average 11 runs per game. The Aggies might have the best shortstop in the nation in Marquez. Their only losing record in conference play was against SJSU at Las Cruces. It will be interesting to see how their power plays at the less-than-friendly hitters' park that is Murakami Stadium.