NMHU Head Coach
Steve Jones begins his 16th season as the skipper of the Cowboy Baseball program. Jones and crew are looking to improve upon their 2011 season record of 27-26 and 19-21 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. The Cowboys completed their 2011 season with their eighth straight appearance in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. Under Coach Jones, the Cowboys have qualified for the RMAC tournament 13 out of his 15 seasons at the helm. During his 15 year tenure at NMHU, Jones has etched his name in the record books as the All-Time Winningest Head Coach in NMHU History with a current record of 448-333. Jones most recently received a 25-year Coaching Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association at the ABCA National Convention in Anaheim, Calif. for his years of service to the game of baseball. The 2012 version of Cowboy Baseball has a solid core of returning players as well as some great new additions. Jones and his staff are excited at the possibilities that lie ahead for them in the upcoming season.
“This team has enough talent to good things this season. We have good depth on our pitching staff as well as some explosive offensive players. We will have to learn to 'show up' every day which is something we weren't able to do last season,” commented NMHU Head Coach
Steve Jones when asked what his thoughts were heading into the 2012 season.
In the latest Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA DII preseason poll the Cowboys are just outside the top 40 teams in the nation receiving one vote in the poll. In addition to his Preseason All-RMAC honors,
Clay Mohr leads the way for the Cowboys receiving preseason All-American recognition in the NCAA DII Central Region.
Eric Maupin, was also mentioned as “Player to Watch” by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Infielder
Justin Rodriguez, a transfer from Cochise College was also mentioned by the publication as a “Newcomer to Watch” in the Central Region.
Along with being named a preseason All-American 2012, Mohr comes back for his senior season after having earned many honors in the 2011 season. Mohr, a Tucson, Ariz. Native, finished his 2011 campaign with both All-RMAC and All-Central Region honors for the Cowboys. Mohr finished the 2011 season with a .387 batting average, 12 doubles, five triples and three homeruns.
Other key returners for the Cowboys are senior first baseman and pitcher
Eric Maupin along with senior outfielder
A.J. Alexander. Maupin, Reno, Nev. product, comes into the 2012 season for the Pokes' after a great season both on the mound and in the field earning him All-RMAC honors. In 160 at bats Maupin finished 2011 with a .400 batting average batting cleanup for the Cowboys. Maupin tallied up 14 doubles, one triple and 4 homeruns with bringing in 42 RBI's throughout the season. Maupin was not only an offensive weapon for the Cowboys; he was also a pitching ace for the Cowboys. Maupin would have 7 appearances on the mound and finish the season with a 2-1 record along with one save. Alexander, a Wailuku, Hawaii native, comes back for his senior season after an impressive junior season where he was another Cowboy to earn All-RMAC honors. Alexander finished 2011 with a .358 batting average and hammered in 14 doubles and two homeruns.
Along with his key returners Coach Jones has brought in yet another talented group of recruits to Las Vegas for the 2012 season. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Newcomer to Watch
Justin Rodriguez, a Douglas, Ariz. Native, comes to NMHU from Cochise College in Douglas Ariz. While at Cochise College, Rodriguez earned All-Conference and All-Region honors as an infielder for the Apaches. Rodriguez will see time at second and third base for the Cowboys in 2012. Right handed pitcher
Chris Prokupek, a Crescent City, Calif. product, comes to NMHU from Shasta College in Redding, Calif. Prokupek was an All-Conference performer for the Shasta Knights and looks make his presence known in the RMAC in 2012. Prokupek will see time in the starting rotation for the Cowboys. Other newcomers that will see playing time for the Cowboys this spring are:
Ray Torres (LHP, 5'10”, 190, Redwood City, Calif.),
Matt Gualco (OF/LHP, 5'10”, 185, Sacramento, Calif.) and
Josh McMahon ( 3B/RHP, 5'9”, 210, Elk Grove, Calif.).
The Cowboys start their 2012 season off on 2/10 at the University of Texas-Permian Basin Tournament. The Cowboys have had good showings the past couple of seasons at the highly competitive UTPB Tournament. In 2011, the Cowboys finished 3-1 for the tournament knocking off tournament host, the University of Texas-Permian Basin Falcons 4-0. The Cowboys will play four games at the UTPB Tournament against very prominent programs. The Cowboys start off their 2012 opening weekend by taking on four Lone Star Conference opponents; Tarleton State University on 2/10, Eastern New Mexico and the University of the Incarnate Word on 2/11 and West Texas A&M University on 2/12. Tarleton State finished off the 2011 season with a 35-15 overall record and a 23-10 Lone Star Conference record. ENMU finished the 2011 season with a 16-28 overall record and an 11-22 LSC mark. Incarnate Word finished 2011 with a 37-18 overall record and a 24-9 LSC record. West Texas A&M finished off 2011 with a 30-19 overall record and 17-16 LSC mark.
“This is going to be a great tournament for us. We should have good feel for where we are at after playing some very tough opponents this weekend,” commented NMHU Head Coach
Steve Jones of his 2012 opening weekend.
GO COWBOYS!!!
