Written by: NMSU Athletic Dept.
Also See: bleedCrimson.net Weekly Coach Rodolph Interview :: 02/19/08
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - NMSU enters the weekend looking to extend it’s back-to-back Troy Cox Championship run from the last two years. Last season the Aggie defeated UTEP 11-10 to take the crown and in 2006 NMSU downed Loyola Marymount 8-6.
This is the 19th anniversary of the Troy Cox Classic. Originally this tournament was called the Roadrunner Invitational, but was renamed in the fall of 1989 to honor the memory of former New Mexico State assistant softball coach Troy Cox.
Cox was just 24 years old when he was killed in an automobile accident. Cox was an assistant under head coach Greg Berry for four seasons. He was a native of Las Cruces, a graduate of Mayfield High School and was the son of Norman and Alice Cox.
The field of the 2008 Troy Cox Classic includes Oklahoma State, Indiana State, Utah Valley, Samford and Texas A&M- Corpus Christi.
NMSU vs. OSU
The Aggies kick off the tournament against Oklahoma State, Friday, Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. This is the 20th meeting between these two teams and the Cowgirls own the all-time series record 14-5. The last meeting between the Cowgirls and the Aggies was Feb. 4, 2005 when OSU downed NMSU 7-1.
A deeper look into the Cowgirls
Currently, OSU owns a record of 7-4. OSU’s most recent match up was, Feb. 20, when the Cowboys fell to the Mean Green of North Texas, 5-2.
NMSU vs. Indiana State
This is the first meeting between the Aggies and the Sycamores.
A deeper look into the Sycamores
The Troy Cox Classic is going to be the Sycamores’ first time on the dirt this season. Last year Indiana State finished with a record of 22-27 and went 6-16 in the Big-12 conference. They return eight players from the 2007 squad, which include four starters.
NMSU vs. Utah Valley
This is the third meeting between Utah Valley and NMSU. The Aggies currently hold the all-time record 2-0. Their last meeting was two years ago when the Crimson and White dominated the Wolverines, 9-0, in five-short innings in Las Cruces, N.M.
A deeper look into the Wolverines
Utah Valley has accumulated a record of 2-3 this season. The Wolverines opened their season two weekends ago at the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah. There they defeated Rhode Island, 11-5 and Idaho State, 5-4. However fell to Northern Colorado, 5-4, Loyola Marymount, 3-2 and Wisconsin, 4-3.
NMSU vs. Samford
This is the first meeting between the Aggies and the Bulldogs.
A deeper look into the Bulldogs
Samford currently owns a record of 3-6. They have competed in two tournaments this season. The first was at the Alabama State Hornet Tournament when they went 3-2, beating Akron, 4-2, Alabama State, 5-3, and Belmont, 5-2. The Bulldogs hosted the second tournament and fell four-straight to Louisville, 3-0, Troy twice, 6-3 and 7-5 and to North Florida, 3-2.
NMSU vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
This is the second meeting between the Aggies and the Islanders and NMSU looks to extend their one-game winning streak to two. The Aggies faced the Corpus-Christi for the first time last season and beat them 4-3, at the Houston Marriott Hobby Invitational, in Houston, Texas.
A deeper look into the Islanders
Currently, Corpus Christi owns a record of 3-4 on the season. They have split with Houston Baptist beating them, 5-1, and then in it’s season opener, 2-5. The Bulldogs took two against Army, 9-7 and 8-0, but fell twice to DePaul, 2-0, and 4-3.
Aggies Handle UTEP, 7-3
NMSU softball dominated UTEP 7-3 during their first of two meetings of the season. The Aggies collected eight hits, including a homerun and two doubles and also tallied a season high eight walks on the night.
Freshman third baseman Ashley Maroda hit her second home run of her career against UTEP.
Herrera the Dirty Thief
New Mexico State senior Stephanie Herrera has stolen nine bases this season on 10 tries. Not only does she lead the team in this category, but she also leads the WAC with the next closes athlete recorded five.
Herrera Earns All-Tournament Team Status
Senior utility Stephanie Herrera was the lone Aggie to record all-tournament team status. She hit an impressive .500 for the weekend, was 9-for-18 from the plate and scored four runs. She also recorded five stolen bases on six tries throughout the tournament.
Freshman Seasoning Quickly at DI Level
New Mexico State softball freshman power-hitters Ashley Maroda and Hoku Nohara both hit their first home run wearing Crimson and White as the Aggies blew out the Flames of the University of Chicago-Illinois, 7-1.
Nohara added a second home run on day three of the tournament, while Maroda finished the weekend with two doubles and two runs scored along with five RBI.
Stepping Up to the Plate is Stacey Lien
Junior designated player Stacey Lien had a break-out Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces Tournament. She batted a solid 8-for-18 from the plate over the weekend and recorded a .444 batting average. She also had five RBI and scored a run, along with a triple and a double.
