LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Following an a perfect opening weekend, the Aggies return to the NM State Softball Complex where they will host the annual Troy Cox Classic. This year's event will once again feature Nebraska who makes an appearance for the third consecutive season. Joining the Huskers will also be Montana, North Dakota and Sacramento State.

TROY COX CLASSIC 
Spanning from Friday morning to Monday evening, the NM State Softball will be the host of a total of 10 games, including five featuring the Aggies and five neutral site games.
 
Friday
10 a.m. - North Dakota vs. Sacramento State
12:30 p.m. - North Dakota vs. Sacramento State
3 p.m. - NM State vs. Nebraska
5:30 p.m. - NM State vs. Nebraska
 
Saturday
9:30 a.m. - Nebraska vs. Montana
Noon - Nebraska vs. Sacramento State
2:30 p.m. - NM State vs. Montana
5 p.m. - NM State vs. Sacramento State
 
Sunday
9 a.m. - Sacramento State vs. Nebraska
 
Monday
3 p.m. - NM State vs. North Dakota
 
HOT START
For the second year in a row, the Aggies got off to a hot start as they posted a plus-20 run differential on their way to a 4-0 start. This included two-game sweeps of both Monmouth and former WAC foe Abilene Christian. This marks NM State's first 4-0 start since the 2019 season and the sixth time the Aggies have opened the season with four victories under Kathy Rodolph.
 
During the Aggies' first four-game stretch, the offense post a .308 batting average and drove home 26 runs while limiting opposing teams to .247 hitting and just six runs. In the circle, NM State pitchers combined to finish the weekend with a dominant 0.81 ERA.
 
Freshman Phenom
The Aggie success during the first weekend of play was also highlighted by the impressive play of several individuals, including freshman standout Desirae Spearman who was awarded with Conference USA's Freshman Player of the Week distinction.
 
The El Paso native became the first member in program history to win a CUSA regular season award after pitching 13.0 innings without allowing an earned run and contributing two home runs, a triple and 5 RBIs at the plate to play a pivotal role in the Aggies' four wins. Her numbers stacked up against the best in the nation as only six other pitchers at the Division I level threw more innings while also maintaining a 0.00 ERA.
 
In her debut, Spearman started a shortstop and appeared in the four-hole in the lineup. There, she recorded her first hit as an Aggie which came in the form of a triple to right center in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
She then got the start in the circle in the night cap - pitching a complete game while striking out four batters and allowing zero runs. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate while tallying her first home run in Crimson and White. This also resulted in her picking up a pair of RBIs.
 
Saturday, she added another hit and fanned 10 batters en route to leading the Aggies to their fourth win of the season.
 
LIFTED BY THE LUNAR'S
Following a stellar freshman campaign, Kendal Lunar is once again off to a hot start as she opened the season with three hits, one home run and one RBI while batting from the heart of the lineup and serving as the Aggies' starting catcher in all four games.
 
Kendal was not the only Lunar contributing to the Aggie triumph as her older sister, Kayla, was arguably NM State's top hitter for the weekend after recording hits in each game on her way to posting a team-best .556 batting average.  She also tallied three RBIs and crossed home plate three times herself. Additionally, Kayla Lunar flashed her glove at third with a slurry of highlight-worthy plays at the hot corner.
 
New Year, New Conference
In 2023, the Aggies finished 21-25 overall, with a 10-14 mark in WAC play. On July 1, 2023, NM State joined Conference USA, and will be a first-year member of the league in 2024. Also new to the conference are Jax State (ASUN), Liberty (ASUN) and Sam Houston (WAC). FIU, LA Tech, Middle Tennessee, UTEP and Western Kentucky are the five returning members of the conference.
 
Golden Anniversary
NM State Softball played its first season in 1975. Now, in 2024, the Aggies enter season No. 50, with 1,144 wins and a much loftier reputation. The program was the class of the WAC for over a decade, earning six regular-season crowns and four conference tournament championships. Softball was NM State's second women's team sport, and has brought 10 championship trophies home to Las Cruces. This May, the Aggies will look to win the CUSA Tournament Championship on their home soil.
 
Legendary Status
Entering her 21st season, Head Coach Kathy Rodolph is already easily the winningest coach in program history. Before Rodolph, the program had not won a championship (regular-season or tournament). Under her direction, the Aggies have claimed 10 pieces of hardware, and boast a 578-505 record. Making stops at El Paso CC and Angelo State before coming to Las Cruces, Rodolph has an individual mark of 771-600 as a head coach. At NM State, she has recruited and coached 17 NFCA All-Region members and eight WAC Player of the Year winners. The Aggies have won 20 or more games in 17 seasons under Rodolph.
 
Best of the Best
In the program's first year in a new conference, two Aggies have already stood out among the league. Last month, CUSA unveiled its Preseason All-Conference Team, highlighted by Riley Carley and Kendal Lunar. The pair of seniors each put forth stellar campaigns in 2023, and will look to lead their team into new territory in 2024.
 
Riley Carley started all 44 games she appeared in last season, leading the team with 16 home runs and 14 walks. In her junior year, she ranked second among all Aggies in RBIs (30), batting average (.346), slugging percentage (.750) and OPS (1.012). Carley was named to the All-WAC Second Team in 2023.
 
As a true freshman, Kendal Lunar made quite the impression in 2023. The first-year Aggie posted six home runs and 20 RBIs with an OPS of .870. Starting 38 games in total, including each of the final 30 a season ago, Lunar is poised for a productive 2024 campaign behind the plate as a sophomore, and was selected to the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team accordingly.