CARY, North Carolina – The No.19 Angelo State baseball team dropped a close game to No.1 Millersville, 1-0, in the opening round of the NCAA DII College World Series on Saturday morning.

The Rams, now 39-21 on the season, will move to the elimination bracket with the first round loss. Despite striking out six Marauder hitters and giving up only two hits, starting pitcher Bryce Zak (9-3) was credited with Saturday's loss. The Angelo State offense out hit Millersville 5-4, however, left six runners stranded for the game. Defensively, ASU committed no errors.

"It was a really well-played game by both teams," commented Head Baseball Coach Kevin Brooks. "We had two really good pitchers on the mound that matched each other itch for pitch. We had our chances early and we didn't take advantage and did not do the little things that we generally do well."

The Marauders will advance to the winner's bracket and face No.16 Cal Poly Pomona, while ASU will face No.14 University of Southern Indiana on Monday, May 30 at 2 p.m. CDT / 3 p.m. EDT in a win-or-go-home situation.

The game was a true battle of pitchers, as both starters and Rams reliever, Graylon Brown, produced stellar numbers for the game. The game remained scoreless through the sixth inning until the top of the seventh when MU took advantage of a passed ball and scored its only run of the game. ASU was unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities with runners on base.

Zak tossed a solid 6 2/3 innings giving up one run and two hits. He has increased both his ASU single season strikeout record lead to 149, and his Lone Star Conference career strikeout record lead to 272. Brown entered in the seventh with two outs on the board and completed the game for the Rams. The senior retired four hitters on strikes and also gave up a pair of hits.

Offensively, first baseman Jay Gonzales led the Rams once again going 2 –for -4 at the dish with a double. Catcher David Goggin also recorded a double for the game. Steven Pinales and Michael Urquidi also recorded hits for the game.