CANYON – The Angelo State baseball team took a late lead over Eastern New Mexico but lost it as the Greyhounds won 7-4 in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
The Rams (33-18) came back from down 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-3 lead but gave up four runs in the ninth in the loss.
"That was one of the first comebacks we've had all year, so I guess maybe that's why we had trouble holding onto it," Angelo State head baseball coach Kevin Brooks said. "Even in the last inning, we loaded the bases and had Bradley Mathiowetz up, who had an incredible game, and came up just short."
Eastern New Mexico took the first lead in the contest, finally breaking through for two runs after Shannon Broussard pitched three scoreless innings to open the game.
Broussard was able to limit the damage in the inning, and recorded an out in the top of the fifth before being relieved by Shane Browning. Browning was dominant as well, pitching the next three and two third innings while allowing just one run to keep ASU in the game.
While Browning was on the mound, the Ram offense finally came alive. The first run came in the bottom of the sixth, as Nicholas Novak singled to lead off. He quickly stole second and scored on a single from Bradley Mathiowetz.
Mathiowetz then advanced to third on a steal of second and a Michael Urquidi single, but the Rams were unable to push another run in the inning.
The Greyhounds got the run back in the top of the seventh and the Rams were held scoreless in the seventh, but they finally pushed in front in the bottom of the eighth.
Mitch Henshaw led off and worked a walk and Mathiowetz quickly tied the score at 3-3 with his team-leading sixth home run of the season. Urquidi then got all the way to second on an error, advancing to third on a ground ball and then scoring on a ground ball from Jacob Boston that gave ASU a 4-3 lead.
Kellen Rholl came into try and close out the win, but was unable to shut the door as Eastern New Mexico rallied for two runs to take a 5-4 lead. Trent Baker then relieved Rholl and the Greyhounds got another two runs before the inning ended.
The Rams had one more shot in the bottom of the ninth. The team loaded the bases with just one out to bring Mathiowetz to the plate. The junior hit a ball hard, but right at the ENMU third basemen who turned a quick double play to end the threat.
ASU will now await the NCAA Selection Show at 9 p.m. Sunday night to find out if they will continue play in the NCAA Postseason Tournament.
