SAN ANGELO - The No. 7 Angelo State Baseball team clinched a series sweep over Texas A&M International on Saturday with a 5-2 win at Foster Field 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.
The Rams (29-8, 8-3 LSC) hit the ball all over the ballpark in the afternoon matchup, even if several of the line drives were caught, and outhit the Dustdevils (10-24, 4-11 Heartland) nine to five on the day.
Pitcher Shane Browning got the nod from head coach Kevin Brooks to start the game after making an appearance out of the bullpen last week. Browning went five innings while giving up just three hits and one earned run. The Lubbock native struck out four batters on the day, increasing his season total to 50.
Browning's only run came early in the game as the Dustdevils got on the board in the first inning for their first lead of the series. The junior kept TAMIU off the board for the next four innings, however, and his hitters got him the lead in the third inning thanks to outfielder Steven Pinales.
With two outs in the inning, first basemen Mitch Henshaw walked. Pinales came up to bat next, and hit the first pitch he saw to the deepest part of the ballpark and over the fence for a two-run home run. Pinales had a strong day overall at the plate, just missing out on another home run in the sixth inning and doubling to the gap in right center in the eighth inning.
Dustin Angiel came in to replace Browning in the sixth and gave up the tying run during his one inning on the mound, but the Dustdevils would get no more on the day.
ASU retook the lead in the seventh inning when Jay Gonzales started a string of four Ram batters reaching base with one out. Gonzaels singled up the middle before Zach Fleet and Nate Ruane were both hit by pitches. Jonathan Soberanes followed with a single of his own to retake the lead, 3-2. The Rams stranded the bases loaded that inning, but followed with another two insurance runs in the eighth.
Pinales led off with his double and Jacob Boston followed with a single to advance Pinales to third. Tyler Coolbaugh and Jay Gonzales each followed with walks of their own to score the fourth Ram run of the game. A lineout from Nate Ruane later in the inning scored Boston, giving the Rams a three-run cushion heading into the final inning.
The Angelo State closer Joe Hauser had already entered the game in the top of the eighth inning and he stayed on the mound for the final inning. Hauser faced just six batters in his appearance, giving up one hit in the ninth, but inducing a ground ball double play and striking out the last batter of the game. Hauser now has 10 saves on the season, which is just two away from tying the ASU single-season record.
The Rams will face a quick turnaround before the next game at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium against St. Mary's.
