SAN ANGELO, Texas – The fifth-ranked Angelo State baseball team opened the season with a Lone Star Conference win, defeating UT Tyler 9-4 on Saturday afternoon at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
The Rams start the year 1-0 with a win over the Patriots for the second year in a row after opening last season with a win in Tyler.
 
UTT got on the board first, hitting a two-run homer in the second inning after a single put a man on first.
 
The Rams quickly answered back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame. Tripp Clark led off with a walk while Hunter Townsend was hit by a pitch. After a double steal, Koby Kelton reached on an error, allowing one run in followed by a double by Kameron Kelton to tie the game. ASU scored the final run of the inning after groundout by Austin Beck brought in Kelton.
 
ASU collected six stolen bases on the day with Clark stealing two while finishing with no errors compared to two by the Patriots.
 
Benjamin Elder started on the mound for the Rams, tossing 3 1/3 innings with three runs off five hits and three strikeouts. Pitching in relief was Jackson Haga who threw 2 2/3 innings with one hit and strikeouts.
 
The Patriots tied the game in the fourth inning, scoring on a fielder's choice before regaining the lead in the seventh with one run off of a ground out to the pitcher.
 
Angelo State once again answered back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh before adding three more in the eighth. Clark hit a two-RBI double to bring in Aaron Walters and Jackson Hardy while Hardy brought in a run of his own in the eighth, followed by an RBI double by Jordan Williams.
 
Kelton and Hardy both finished with two runs while Clark and Williams each collected two RBIs.
 
The Rams and Patriots will be back in action at Foster Field tomorrow afternoon in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.