SAN ANGELO, Texas – The top-ranked Angelo State baseball team secured its spot in the NCAA Division II South Central Super Regional, defeating UT Tyler 8-5 on Sunday at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
The Rams pick up their 50^th win of the season and will host the Super Regional against Colorado Mesa for the third year in a row beginning on Friday, May 26^th.
 
UTT struck first in the contest, singling through the right side for an early 1-0 lead. The Patriots added to their lead in the second, scoring on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch before a sac fly made it 3-0.
 
The Rams put their first run on the board in the bottom of the second as Kamden Kelton doubled to right center to score Jackson Hardy.
 
Austin Teel tossed four 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts.
 
The Patriots tallied another run in the top of the sixth, hitting a double down the right field line to go up 4-1.
 
In the bottom half of the inning, the Rams cut into the lead as Hardy doubled down the left field line to score Austin Beck before a bunt single by Kelton scored Hardy.
 
The Rams took the lead in the seventh, scoring four runs in the inning. Jordan Williams brought in the first run on a single to right field before Hardy reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Williams on the play. Justin Harris earned an RBI on a sac-bunt before Kelton hit an RBI single to give ASU a 7-4 advantage.
 
Scott Ellis earned the win to improve to 6-2 on the season after throwing three and 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits with two punchouts.
 
The Rams will host second-seeded and fifth-ranked Colorado Mesa to begin the Super Regional on Friday, May 26 with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m.