Mayfield, Organ Mountain lead 2026 softball season

New NMSU fundraising arm Henson Excellence Fund raises over $200K since January

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school softball game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conveying the energy and movement of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic action and competitive spirit of high school softball in Las Cruces.Las Cruces Today

District play has begun for several Las Cruces-area high school softball teams, with Mayfield and Organ Mountain emerging as early leaders in the 2026 season. Meanwhile, New Mexico State University's new primary fundraising arm for athletics, the Henson Excellence Fund, has raised over $200,000 since launching in January.

Why it matters

High school softball is a beloved community sport in Las Cruces, with passionate fans following the local teams. The strong start by Mayfield and Organ Mountain is generating excitement, while the success of the Henson Excellence Fund signals growing support for NMSU athletics programs.

The details

Mayfield and Organ Mountain have both gotten off to hot starts in district play, showcasing talented rosters and strong coaching. The Henson Excellence Fund, NMSU's new fundraising initiative, has already raised over $200,000 since its January launch, providing a boost to the university's athletics department.

  • District play for Las Cruces-area high school softball teams began in April 2026.
  • The Henson Excellence Fund was launched by NMSU in January 2026.

The players

Mayfield High School

A Las Cruces-area high school with a strong softball program that has emerged as an early leader in the 2026 season.

Organ Mountain High School

A Las Cruces-area high school with a softball team that has also started the 2026 season strongly.

Henson Excellence Fund

A new primary fundraising arm for New Mexico State University's athletics department, launched in January 2026.

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The takeaway

The early success of Mayfield and Organ Mountain's softball teams is generating excitement in the Las Cruces community, while the rapid growth of the Henson Excellence Fund signals increasing support for NMSU athletics programs.