Written By: Valerie Munoz, For NM State Media Relations

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - With the 2011 New Mexico State baseball season arriving in less than two weeks, senior shortstop Ryan Aguayo knows his college career will soon come to an end, and he's already planning for his future. Like any other athlete his dream is to play professionally, but if that doesn't work out for him he's also looking into becoming a coach.

Aguayo has coached high school baseball camps in the winter and summer and also at California State at Fullerton, and his junior college (Cuesta College). While he does work with many age groups his favorite to coach is young high school students because they are more experienced and he can relate to them.

"I really have enjoyed my time working with younger athletes because they are at an age where they are truly motivated to learn and it makes it so much more enjoyable," Aguayo said.

Aguayo's coaching style comes from his coaches here at NM State as well as his junior college coach. He likes the kids to have fun, but he also makes sure that they're really learning everything he's trying to teach them.

"The best coaching occurs in college not at the professional level because most of us are guys that really had to learn how to play the game the right way and teach other people how to play," head baseball coach Rocky Ward said. "Ryan Aguayo is that type of guy because he had to work so hard at finding an edge in his game. His mechanics and techniques had to be better than the other guy. He'll understand a lot better how to teach it to players."

For his own game Aguayo looks up to Baltimore Orioles second baseman, Bryan Roberts because he plays hard and is really focused.

Off the baseball field Aguayo likes to watch his favorite hockey team, L.A. Kings, play. He and his friends have their own hockey sticks and nets so they play outside. On Friday and Saturday nights you can catch him playing video games or just hanging out with his friends.

The college environment here in Las Cruces and being surrounded by his teammates and friends makes up Aguayo's favorite part of being at NM State, but he can't help but miss everything back home including the beaches, In-N-Out burger and his family.

Back home in California Aguayo's biggest supporters is his family. He has his mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and a lot of cousins that make up a big support system. He goes home during breaks and usually mom and dad make it out to a couple of games a year.

During high school Aguayo played second base and shortstop for Servite High School, a private school in California. He received all-league honors twice and was named most valuable player in the 2006 Orange County All Star game.

Aguayo has played 60 games at NMSU and started in 58 of them. In 2010, he led NM State in runs scored, hits, assists, and fielding double plays, and is second for runs batted in. He's also leading in multiple hit and multiple RBI games.

"He's a guy that has average tools and he plays the game well above what he should be able to because he's just smart," Coach Ward said. "Everyone has the right to show emotion when they have failure, but it's how quickly they go to the next play and he does that very well. He moves from performance to the next scenario very quickly and that's something that shows a lot about his maturity as a player."

Aguayo is working towards a Bachelors degree in individualized studies and a minor in marketing. He participates in community service through the baseball team such as the "Dress a Child" charity event and various mariachi events.

Look for Aguayo on the baseball field this year when the season kicks off on February 12, with the Annual Alumni Game at Presley Askew Field. Game time is set for 2:05 p.m. (MT) and admission is free to everyone.