Rough Riders' Uphill Battle: 5 Key Takeaways From Luna Community College Baseball's 2025 Season
The Luna Community College Rough Riders baseball program is a cornerstone of athletics in Las Vegas, New Mexico, competing at the highly competitive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I level. As of December 24, 2025, the team is deep into its preparation and analysis for the upcoming spring campaign, aiming to build on the foundation laid during the challenging 2024-2025 season in the Empire Conference. The focus remains on player development, strategic regional play, and overcoming the hurdles presented by a demanding schedule in Region 9 Athletics.
The 2025 season is poised to be a pivotal year for the Rough Riders, with Head Coach Erick Wright continuing to shape the program's culture and performance. Fans and prospective recruits are keenly watching the team’s progress, particularly their ability to convert promising offensive statistics into a winning record against tough regional rivals. The following analysis breaks down the most current information, roster details, and the outlook for the LCC baseball program.
Luna Community College Rough Riders Baseball: Program Profile & Key Personnel
The LCC baseball program, known as the Rough Riders, operates from its home base in Las Vegas, NM, and is committed to developing student-athletes for the next level. The program is part of the competitive landscape of the NJCAA, with a clear focus on regional success and player transfer to four-year universities.
Program Biography & Roster Snapshot (2025 Season)
- Institution: Luna Community College (LCC)
- Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico (NM)
- Nickname: Rough Riders
- Division: NJCAA Division I
- Conference: Empire Conference (Part of NJCAA Region 9)
- Home Field: Rodriguez Park (Commonly associated with LCC)
- 2024-2025 Overall Record: 15-37
- 2024-2025 Conference Record: 8-20
- Current Streak: Lost 2 (L2)
Coaching Staff: The Leadership Core
The team’s direction is firmly in the hands of a dedicated coaching staff, focused on maximizing player potential and strategic execution. Head Coach Erick Wright, who took the helm for the 2024 season, is a key figure in the program’s recent history, bringing previous experience from North Central Texas College.
- Head Coach: Erick Wright (Pitching Coach focus)
- Head Assistant Coach: Jacob Walker (Offensive Coach focus)
- Assistant Coach: Eddie Gonzales Jr.
Notable Player Entities (2025 Roster)
While the full roster is extensive, key players and hometown talent often define the team’s identity. The 2025 spring roster features promising freshmen from the local New Mexico area, a vital component of the Rough Riders' recruiting strategy.
- Justin Peterson: RHP (Right-Handed Pitcher), Freshman (FR), from Albuquerque
- Adan Marques: LHP (Left-Handed Pitcher), Freshman (FR), from Albuquerque
The 2025 Season: Statistical Deep Dive and Performance Metrics
To understand the Rough Riders' competitive position, it is essential to look beyond the win-loss column and analyze the underlying statistics. The 2024-2025 season statistics reveal a team with a potent offense that sometimes struggled to translate runs into victories, a common challenge in junior college baseball.
Offensive Firepower and Batting Metrics
The Luna CC offense demonstrated significant hitting ability, posting numbers that suggest they can compete with any team in the NJCAA Division I Region 9. Their ability to drive in runs and maintain a respectable batting average shows the potential for high-scoring games.
- Total Games Played: 52
- Total Runs Scored: 307
- Team Batting Average (AVG): .291
- Team On-Base Percentage (OBP): .380
- Team Slugging Percentage (SLG): .431
- Total Home Runs (HR): 34 (A significant power number for the level)
These numbers highlight a team that is not afraid to swing the bat and has the power to change a game quickly. However, the disparity between their strong offensive output and the 15-37 overall record suggests that pitching and defense may be the primary areas for improvement in the 2025 campaign.
Key Challenges and the Road Ahead in Region 9
The competitive landscape of the Empire Conference and NJCAA Region 9 is notoriously tough, featuring perennial junior college powerhouses. Luna Community College's schedule is packed with challenging opponents, making every weekend series a test of skill and depth. Success for the Rough Riders hinges on navigating this difficult schedule and finding consistency on the mound.
The Gauntlet of the 2025 Spring Schedule
The 2025 Spring Schedule includes crucial matchups that will define the Rough Riders' season. These games are not only important for the overall record but also for securing a spot in the Region 9 tournament. Key early and mid-season opponents include:
- Eastern Arizona College (EAC)
- Clarendon College
- Midland College
- El Paso Community College (El Paso CC)
- New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI)
Facing these strong regional teams early on provides an immediate measure of the team’s readiness. The results against rivals like New Mexico Military Institute are particularly important for local pride and conference standings.
Focus on Pitching and Defense
Given the strong offensive statistics, the team's primary focus for the 2025 season under Head Coach Erick Wright will likely be on improving the pitching staff and overall defense. The development of young pitchers like Justin Peterson and Adan Marques will be critical. In junior college baseball, the ability to close out games and limit opponents' scoring opportunities is often the deciding factor between a winning and losing season. The coaching staff, including Pitching Coach Wright, will be working to reduce the team's WHIP (Walks and Hits Per Innings Pitched) and improve their Batting Average Against (BAA), which are crucial metrics for a successful season.
The Luna Community College Rough Riders are a team with significant offensive potential and a clear mission for the 2025 season. The program is committed to the development of its student-athletes, both on and off the field. With a solid coaching staff in place and a challenging schedule ahead, the Rough Riders are poised to make their mark on NJCAA Division I baseball. Fans in Las Vegas, NM, and across the state will be watching closely to see if the team can harness its power and climb the competitive ladder of Region 9 Athletics.
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