SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Rams secured their spot in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Baseball Tournament after sweeping eighth-seeded St. Mary's, winning game two 23-5 on Saturday at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.
The Rams improve their season record to 23-5 overall and will host the next round of the LSC tournament beginning Thursday, May 12.
Playing as the visitors for game two of the series, ASU led off the first inning as Austin Beck hit a triple off the first pitch. Koby Kelton ground out to second base to score the first run before Jordan Williams hit an RBI single up the middle to bring home Aaron Walters.
StMU answered back in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs off a single and a fielder's choice to tie the game.
ASU added three runs in the second inning as Beck hit a two-RBI single to left field before a single by Walters scored Beck.
The Rattlers put one run on the board in the bottom half of the inning with a shot up the middle.
In the third inning, the Rams added four more runs capped off by a two-run homer to right field by Tripp Clark to extend ASU's lead to 9-3.
The Rams poured on the scoring in the fourth inning, totaling eight runs. Williams picked up an RBI with a bases-loaded walk before Kamden Kelton hit a two-RBI single. The Rams added runs on an error, a sac-fly by Beck along with hits by Justin Harris and Koby Kelton. Williams wrapped up the scoring in the fourth with another bases-loaded walk as the Rams took control 17-3.
Aaron Munson started on the mound for ASU, throwing three innings of work with six hits and three runs. After a long pause in action for an umpire switch, Carson Childers came in to pitch, earning the win after throwing two innings with one hit and four strikeouts.
In the sixth innings, ASU tallied three more runs as Kamden Kelton hit a two-run home run to left field followed by an RBI double by Charlie Bartlett. In the seventh, Thomas Cain hit a sac-fly to left field to bring home Ryan Neitsch from third.
The Rattlers kept battling at the plate, scoring a run in the seventh and another in the ninth.
Price Siemering and Kyle Moseley each threw an inning of relief before Jake Rogers closed out the game with two innings of work, allowing one run on two hits.
ASU scored its final two runs of the game in the top of the ninth as a double by Jackson Hardy and a sac-fly by Bartlett.
The Rams will wait for the bracket to be set before the LSC releases the remainder of the tournament schedule which will be held May 12-14 at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.
