The Fox Force Five Column

Let's "Ketchup" on Everything

Hello Everyone!

Great to be here. I am James Baca, as you well know and this is AGGREGATOR, the People’s Champion in Aggies News.

News has been sporadic the last week or so, but I am here to give you all the dish about NM State athletics.

If you are a paid subscriber, you did hear from me a couple days ago!

I discussed a multitude of things, most notably the angst some fans had about the football portal, more deep dive about the press box funding discussion not mentioned anywhere else, plus a frank discussion about NIL money for former Aggies Seth McGowan and Shiyazh Pete at Kentucky.

Without spoiling my paid column, NO, they are NOT making $2 million each. Too many people have a lot of things they purport as news. I keep it honest.

It was available only to paid subscribers. I will have another one in a day or so about another thing that came up this weekend.

$5 a month or about 10 cents a day for an annual subscription. Help support The Notorious Banker James Baca, independent journalists and more importantly, a real Aggies column from a local!

I do want to briefly shout out NM State PA Announcer Ed Carnathan and Aggies Legend Jack Nixon.

If you went to Mira Las Cruces this past weekend, you may have seen a wrestling ring on Main Street. Well, that is because Ed booked a wrestling show for the event and despite the hot temperatures outside and in the ring, fans lined up to see some local-ish luchadors perform.

Plus Jack Nixon, who is the Reigning, Defending, Undisputed Champion of NM State Media in perpetuity, was the ring announcer, and he did it almost all en Espanol!

Ed works at Visit Las Cruces as well, but of course you know his voice from Football and Basketball events at NM State. This was a small part of the Mira Las Cruces event, which had concerts, performances, and vendors galore.

Now, I normally don’t give out free advertising on this page after I saw how big a check Snapchat gave me for 1 minute of my time, but I think it is important to address a pet peeve of mine.

“There’s nothing to do in this town…”

My wife grew up in 300 population Reserve, NM
I grew up in 6,900 population Socorro, NM

We heard that growing up too, but with county fairs, free concerts/dances, or just going for a cruise around town or even out of town, there’s always things to do.

I wrote a couple of books about Las Vegas, NV in my late 20s, and I heard from people out there to me… “There’s nothing to do!”

Are you kidding me? There’s always SOMETHING if you really want to look for it.

I am blessed to live in Cruces where D1 athletics are played. I love it. The occasional concert comes as well, but my wife and I, especially when our families are here are BIG on finding things to do, even if they are outside the box, because we know what it is like in a smaller town, and believe me, there’s a wealth of things here in Cruces to do. I urge you to check out the Visit Las Cruces page, and just look for yourself.

My family had a great time this past weekend. Good food, my niece and nephew took pictures with people on stilts, one of the wrestlers demanded a bite of a sno cone from my nephew (in jest of course) and they were talking about it a lot afterward.

In a world that is full of negativity, and don’t I know that for the past month, trust me, there are some great things out here. I encourage you to discover what is under your nose if you live here!

Thanks Ed for the wrestling card. It gave me the itch to maybe one day try to do that. I think I would be…interesting to say the least. I have the look though :)

Thanks Jack for making the event bigger with your presence there and thank you Las Cruces for the event!

Folks… There are things to do in Las Cruces and something like Saturday, I spent a whopping $0.00 and had a blast. The rest of my contingent spent money though… :)

Anyway, Time for some Aggies Ketchup (Catch-Up)
Name of the Column is of course a nod to “Pulp Fiction.”

So let’s do it.

Baseball - Aggies Sweep MTSU - Level Up to .500 - Continue to Outplay Expectations

Aggies were picked to finish near the bottom of the CUSA table at the beginning of the season. A lot of us remember a couple years back when the Aggies pulled up a huge upset and won the WAC Tournament and made it to the NCAAs. I remember it fondly, because the day that happened was an important day in my life. (Long story…but I beat Santa Fe)

Well, the 2025 Aggies were 19-22 heading into a series at the ‘Skew this weekend against MTSU. They emerged Sunday Afternoon a .500 squad after a dominant sweep of the Blue Raiders.

Here’s the game recaps

April 25, 2025: NM State 6, MTSU 1

NM State opened the weekend series with a steady 6-1 victory over MTSU at Presley Askew Field. Saul Soto (W, 4-1) was sharp again, tossing 7.0 innings of one-run ball while allowing just four hits and one walk, striking out five. Soto cruised after NM State jumped on MTSU early, scoring three times in the first inning and adding insurance runs in the sixth and seventh.
Offensively, Brandon Forrester sparked the Aggies by reaching base three times, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Gianni Horvat chipped in with a clutch two-run homer in the seventh to cap the scoring. Bryce Campbell added an RBI double to open the first-inning floodgate.
For MTSU, Hayden Miller provided the lone run of the night with a solo homer in the third. Colin Kerrigan (L, 0-2) was tagged for four runs (only one earned) across 4.0 innings as MTSU's defense faltered behind him.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Saul Soto (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)
L: Colin Kerrigan (4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K)

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April 26, 2025: NM State 10, MTSU 0 (7 innings)

NM State’s offense exploded and Connor Wylde dominated the mound in a convincing 10-0 run-rule win over MTSU. Wylde (W, 3-0) was outstanding, tossing a complete game shutout on just 85 pitches, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four. Chandler Alderman (L, 3-7) couldn’t survive the fourth inning for MTSU, surrendering six runs on nine hits before being lifted.
The Aggies pounded out 15 hits. Brandon Forrester delivered a perfect 4-for-4 day, scoring once and stealing a base. Joey Craig launched a three-run homer in the fourth that broke the game open, while Dane Woodcook tripled down the right field line for two more late runs. Gianni Horvat stayed hot with a three-hit afternoon.
Defensively, NM State turned two double plays and didn't commit an error, backing Wylde’s efficient masterpiece.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Connor Wylde (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)
L: Chandler Alderman (3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

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April 27, 2025: NM State 16, MTSU 8

The series finale turned into a slugfest, and NM State proved once again they had the bigger bats, pulling away for a 16-8 win to complete the sweep. The Aggies scored 16 runs on 18 hits, putting up a seven-run fourth inning and a five-run sixth to blow it open.
Bryce Campbell led the fireworks, finishing 3-for-6 with a two-run homer in the first and four RBIs overall. Boston Vest and Gianni Horvat each added home runs, while Austin Corbett plated three with a bases-clearing single.
Matthew Yarc (W, 1-2) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.0 innings and allowing just two runs with five strikeouts. Ian Hoslett had started the game with three shutout frames before the middle innings got wild. Cole Torbett (L, 0-4) suffered the loss for MTSU, getting rocked for five runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
MTSU’s Matt Wolfe turned in a strong day, going 3-for-4 with a homer, double, and four RBIs, while Eston Snider added a two-run homer of his own.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Matthew Yarc (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
L: Cole Torbett (0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

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Series Stars: Three Best Players

Brandon Forrester (NM State): The catalyst at the top of the lineup, Forrester went 7-for-11 in the series with four runs scored, two RBIs, and three stolen bases. He reached base in nearly every trip and gave NM State constant pressure on the bases.

Bryce Campbell (NM State): Campbell powered the Aggies’ Sunday explosion and finished the series 7-for-14 with five RBIs and a home run. He delivered repeatedly with runners in scoring position.

Gianni Horvat (NM State): A steady force, Horvat posted a 6-for-12 series with four RBIs, a home run, and several big at-bats that kept innings alive and helped turn small rallies into crooked numbers.

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Next Up:

Aggies play a midweek game in Tucson against nationally-ranked Arizona. Aggies then go the opposite direction to the Atlanta area to play Kennesaw State for 3 games there, and then ANOTHER midweek game against Texas Tech.

Congrats to the Aggies who are in the middle of the pack in a really top-heavy CUSA Table

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Softball

Aggies Sweep MTSU, Nudge Over .500 in Waning Weeks of the Season - Spearman Shines As Always as Seniors Say Goodbye

Courtesy NM State University

It was an emotional weekend in Las Cruces as NM State Softball closed out its final homestand of the season. Five graduating Aggies — Taylor Nicholson, Kristiana Watson, Jaileen Mancha, Kayla Lunar, and Riley Carley — were honored for their contributions to the program. The group helped lead NM State to a clean sweep over the Blue Raiders in front of their home fans one last time.

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April 25, 2025: NM State 5, MTSU 4

Opening night of the final homestand was full of late-game drama as NM State rallied from a 4-0 deficit to stun MTSU 5-4 in walk-off fashion. The Aggies were shut out for five innings before a three-run sixth and a two-run seventh flipped the game. Riley Carley delivered the game-winning blow with a two-run single up the middle.

Faith Aragon (W, 10-8) earned the win in relief, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing just one run. Desirae Spearman started and kept NM State within striking distance despite allowing three runs in 4.1 innings.

Offensively, Taylor Nicholson came off the bench with a clutch two-RBI single in the sixth to spark the rally, and Johnna Aragon drove in another to pull NM State within one. A heads-up bunt single from Faith Aragon and a big-time steal by Payton Nicholson set the table for the heroics in the seventh.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Faith Aragon (2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)
L: Mary Martinez (0.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

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April 26, 2025: NM State 5, MTSU 2

On Senior Day, the Aggies made sure their veterans went out winners, grinding out a 5-2 victory with key contributions from the players being honored. Faith Aragon (W, 11-8) earned her second win of the weekend with 2.2 scoreless innings in relief of Jaileen Mancha, who battled through 4.1 innings.

Taylor Nicholson stayed hot, opening the scoring with a solo home run to center. Kristiana Watson blasted a two-run shot down the left field line that gave NM State a lead they would not surrender. Lauren Garcia and Kendal Lunar each added big hits, and the defense turned a clutch double play in the late innings to put the game on ice.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Faith Aragon (2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)
L: Tori Coffman (4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 2 K)

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April 27, 2025: NM State 9, MTSU 1 (5 innings)

The Aggies closed the homestand with authority, run-ruling MTSU 9-1 in five innings behind a dominant pitching performance and a home run barrage. Senior Desirae Spearman (W, 10-7) stole the show, tossing a two-hitter while striking out nine.

At the plate, Spearman also smashed a leadoff homer to get the party started. Riley Carley followed with a two-run shot in the third inning, and Tamara Carranza put the finishing touches on the sweep with a three-run blast in the fifth. Every senior contributed again as NM State sent the home crowd home happy.

Pitchers of Record:
W: Desirae Spearman (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K)
L: Leila Ammon (3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)

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Three Players of the Weekend:

Desirae Spearman (NM State):
Spearman capped her final games at home with an all-time performance. She picked up a win and a save across the weekend, pitching a total of 9.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 13. She also blasted a solo home run to kick off the finale and went 3-for-3 at the plate on Sunday with two RBIs. Spearman owned both sides of the game and was the emotional engine of Senior Weekend.

Taylor Nicholson (NM State):
Nicholson delivered the weekend’s biggest hits. She came off the bench in Friday’s comeback win with a two-RBI single that turned the game around, then smashed a solo homer on Saturday to tie the game. Nicholson finished the series 3-for-7 with three RBIs and gave NM State clutch momentum swings when they needed them most.

Riley Carley (NM State):
Carley continued her strong second half of the season with a massive series. She drove in four RBIs across the weekend, including the game-winning two-run single on Friday night and a two-run homer on Sunday. She finished the series reaching base five times, helping keep NM State's offense rolling in every game.

Aggies are in the middle of the pack of CUSA, but they need to keep winning. If memory serves me, only the top 6 make it to the CUSA tourney and the Aggies are slightly behind WKU and slightly ahead of FIU who each have a tie against one another, making those 1/2 game movements deadly for a team like NM State or SHSU who they are neck and neck with in conference.

People hate to hear this in the sports world, but NM State controls their own destiny here. We will see what happens, although at the moment, it’s Liberty’s world, we are just living in it.

Aggies also going to Kennesaw State like the men to play the Owls. Aggies are a paltry 3-13 in TRUE road games on the season. In order to continue playing, they will need to right that wrong.

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Golf

Aidan Thomas wins CUSA Championship - Aggies Finish 4th as Team

The NM State veteran clawed his way to the top at the 2025 Conference USA Championship, firing a final-round 68 (-4) at Texarkana Country Club to capture the individual crown at eight-under 208 — edging Liberty’s Ike Joy by a single stroke.

It’s a milestone win for both Thomas and the Aggies. Not only does it mark NM State’s first CUSA individual title in just their second year in the league, but Thomas now joins Garrison Smith (2023 WAC champ) as the second Aggie to bring home major hardware in the last three seasons.

Thomas, who is from the Laguna Pueblo, makes New Mexico proud as the player represents his home state well!

Texarkana Country Club – Texarkana, Arkansas

1. Liberty (-15)

2. Sam Houston (-9)

3. Kennesaw State (-3)

4. New Mexico State (-2)

5. UTEP (-2)

6. Middle Tennessee (+1)

7. Louisiana Tech (+6)

8. Western Kentucky (+8)

9. JAX State (+20)

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All Aggies do is Win.

Aggies fans, more to come from AGGREGATOR. I humbly ask for your business. $5 a month keeps me in business. Support local writers and support AGGREGATOR!

Thank You. Will have a paid article coming soon and I will be back here with more shortly!

James Baca - AGGREGATOR