SAN ANGELO, Texas – The No. 17-ranked Angelo State baseball team gears up to play five games this week beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 28 when the Rams host non-conference foe Arlington Baptist before hitting the road to face UAFS in Lone Star Conference play starting on Friday, Mar. 1.
 
#17 ANGELO STATE RAMS (9-7, 9-7 LSC) vs. ARLINGTON BAPTIST PATRIOTS (4-6)
Game 1: Wed., Feb. 28, 4:00 p.m.
Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium – San Angelo, Texas
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
#17 ANGELO STATE RAMS (9-7, 9-7 LSC) vs. UAFS LIONS (9-3, 9-3 LSC)
Game 1: Fri., Mar. 1, 12 p.m. | Game 2/3: Sat., Mar. 2, 1 p.m. | Game 4: Sun., Mar. 3, 1 p.m.
Crowder Field – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
LAST TIME OUT:
Over the weekend, the Rams suffered their first series loss since 2022 as UT Tyler utilized the long ball to take the series three games to one. The lone victory in game two saw the Blue and Gold put up 16 runs in the sixth inning, the most in one inning since 2021. Weston Valasek highlighted ASU's offensive production as he went 7-of-13 at the plate with two home runs, and two doubles, contributing seven RBIs and scoring nine times on his own.

SERIES HISTORY:
All-Time Series: ASU leads UAFS 11-1
Last Meeting: Mar. 5, 2023: ASU, 21-11 – San Angelo, Texas.
The Rams hold the series lead over the Lions, losing only one game in their 12 meetings. ASU averages over 11 runs a game as they have won the last nine straight meetings, sweeping the series at home last year.
 
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS:
Arlington Baptist, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), enters the mid-week contest with a 4-6 overall record, having been swept by Our Lady of the Lake to open the season followed by splitting a four-game series with Wayland Baptist and a double-header with Austin College before taking down Jarvis Christian College.

The Patriots are batting .262 as a team, scoring 55 runs on 73 hits including 12 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. On the mound, they have a team ERA of 7.17, allowing an opponent batting average of .301, and have given up a total of 74 runs.

SCOUTING THE LIONS:
The Lions boast a 9-3 record entering the weekend, opening the season with a sweep of Oklahoma Christian before taking three of four from St. Mary's and splitting with Lubbock Christian.

UAFS ranks at the top of the conference in team batting average (.355), second in on-base percentage (.469). Brandon Ulmer leads the LSC in batting average (.488) and OPS (1.410) while teammate Noah Davis sits in third with a .440 batting average.

On the mound, their pitching staff holds a 4.50 ERA, which is good for second in the conference and allows an opponent's batting average of .251. Luke Davenport spotlights the bullpen with a 2.25 ERA, which puts him third in the conference along with Riley Lowry's 2.84 ERA and .196 opponents' batting average leads the starting pitching.

QUICK HITS:
- In conference, Tripp Clark is second in RBIs (24) and fifth in batting average (.424), OPS (1.224), and home runs (4).
- Justin Harris leads the conference with 20 walks which contributes to his .543 on-base percentage, which is good for third.
- Weston Valasek has been hit by a pitch 12 times which is the most in the LSC.
- Tayten Tredaway leads the LSC with 12 doubles.
- Dax Dathe's 31 strikeouts puts him atop the LSC while Braxton Pearson sits in third with 24.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
- Feb. 12 – Tripp Clark, Angelo State (Hitter)
 
CONFERENCE FAVORITES:
The Rams were selected as the favorites to take the 2024 LSC crown, earning the top spot in the preseason poll with 503 points, including 38 of the 39 first-place votes. Coming in second was UT Tyler followed by St. Edwards and Lubbock Christian.

NCBWA PRESEASON ALL - AMERICANS:
The Rams had four players selected to the NCBWA Preseason All-American Team, earning First-Team honors was outfielder Jacob Guerrero who was also selected as the 2024 Lone Star Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Being named to the All-American Second-Team is starting pitcher Braxton Pearson, who was named Lone Star Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year, and catcher Tripp Clark. Rounding out the honors is utility man Austin Beck who was named an Honorable Mention.