The NMSU softball team’s 2025 season kicks off Feb. 7 as they host the University of California Santa Barbara at 1 p.m. MT. They then face Colorado State directly after at 3:30. These games are part of the NM State Invitational to start the new year, which has become a tradition.
The Aggies are projected to finish third in Conference USA with one vote separating them from second-place Western Kentucky. While being expected to finish third, the Aggies received one first-place vote.
The Aggies had a much improved season last year compared to the 2023 season, winning nine more games to finish with a 30-25 record. This was largely due to 2024 Freshman All-American Desirae Spearman, who exceeded expectations in her first year with the program. The El Paso native hit 16 home runs on the season, which was tied for most in Conference USA. She also had 43 RBI’s, which is tied for the most in program history with former teammate Dezianna Patmon who recently transferred to Oregon. Spearman showed off her fantastic pitching skills as well, accounting for 75 strikeouts, a 3.15 ERA and an 8-4 win-loss record.
Other accolades Spearman collected were winning CUSA Freshman of the Week (5), All-CUSA First Team for both pitching and playing outfield, CUSA Player of the Year and CUSA Freshman of the Year. She also made the CUSA All-Tournament team due to her heroics leading the Aggies to a semi-finals matchup with Liberty where they fell 5-3 despite beating them 11-3 the day prior.
Junior outfielder Devin Elam is another player to keep an eye on as she looks to continue her impressive career with the Aggies. Last year, she made All-CUSA First Team as an outfielder. This year, Elam was recognized for making the All-CUSA First Team preseason team. Elam is coming off a season where she hit for a .405 average and .449 during conference play. Elam finished top three in four major hitting categories for the Aggies last season.
Senior pitcher Jaileen Mancha had a solid season last year with a 3.63 ERA, 57 strikeouts and a 12-10 win-loss record. The Las Cruces native pitched the second most innings all year for the Aggies with 125.1 and only allowed her opponents to hit .280 average. Mancha brings veteran leadership to this young team.
Last year, the Aggies went 5-1 against their rivals UNM and UTEP. They swept the Lobos 3-0 beating them at the NM State Softball Complex in a doubleheader Tuesday, Mar. 26, and later once in Albuquerque. The Aggies defeated UTEP 2-1 in their series matchup during conference play.
Spearman’s success has not been easy, but she will try to capitalize and be even better in 2025.
“Coming off last season’s experiences, my focus this year is to stay present in every moment and compete with every pitch,” Spearman said.
Head coach Kathy Rodolph will be vital toward the team’s success as this will be her 22nd year coaching the Aggies. She is currently the winningest head coach at NMSU with a 540-437 record. She saw a lot of success in the Western Athletic Conference winning six regular season championships. She has also accounted for four WAC Tournament Championships and four NCAA Regional appearances. All this success led to her becoming a five-time WAC Coach of the Year.
Rodolph’s players have high hopes that she will help lead the team to another winning season, especially Spearman.
“Coach Rodolph is the heart of our team’s success,” Spearman said. “With her exceptional guidance, she pushes us to be the best and inspires us daily to compete daily.”
The Aggies have a young team which makes the future seem bright. They have eight freshmen and five sophomores, which make up a majority of the roster.
Overall, Rodolph managed to add six new players during National Signing Day.
“This is a group that is loaded with power, speed and pitching,” Rodoplh said in a recap of her signing day. “Each one of these young women has competed on a national stage and thrived.”
After a strong 2024 season, the Aggies look to be set on continuing to improve its success for the future. It will not be easy as they have many challenging opponents on their schedule. They face No. 17 Arizona in Tucson Tuesday, Mar. 17. They host No. 16 Nebraska led by star pitcher Jordyn Bahl in the Troy Cox Classic (Feb. 14-17) at home. They also take on No. 2 Florida Saturday, Feb. 22. Right before conference play begins, they will travel to the Longhorn Invitational to play the national runner-up from last year No. 1 Texas Saturday, Mar. 1.
Though the schedule may seem tough, Spearman believes she and the team have what it takes if they give it their all every time they step on the field.
“This year, my main focus is competing at a high level, every time I step up to the plate.”
The Aggies are seeking an NCAA tournament appearance and conference title for the first time since 2018.
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