SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State baseball team, which includes 23 returners and seven newcomers, returns to Foster Field for the first official practice of the 2013 season at 10 a.m. on Thursday. The Rams will also practice at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday with all workouts open to the public and media.  

“I think we are all ready to get out there and get to work,” ASU head coach Kevin Brooks said. “We want them to have a sense of urgency because there's not a lot of time before the season starts. I think our guys took the break seriously and are going to come out on the first day of practice ready to go. I'm really looking forward to this season and getting it started.”

The Rams are coming off a 2012 season in which they went 40-17, won the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament titles and advanced to NCAA Division II South Central Regional. ASU returns All-American center fielder Lee Neumann, all-region selections in left fielder Ryan Greer and pitcher Michael Lange and All-LSC selections Quaid McKinnon (first base), Andrew LaCombe (catcher), Jake Feckley (pitcher), Michael Weatherly (pitcher) and Austin Church (pitcher).  

Brooks and the ASU baseball program are both entering their ninth season. Brooks, who has coached the team since its first year in 2005 and was named the 2012 LSC Coach of the Year, has led the program to a 305-166 record with two conference championships, one regional title (2007) and nine All-America selections. The Rams are 166-61 in games played at Foster Field after going 24-4 last season at home.

Angelo State opens the season on the road on Feb. 1 against Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Rams will open their home schedule on Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. against Southern Arkansas. ASU is 0-4 all-time against the Muleriders, including dropping a 7-2 decision in last season's regional tournament.

Click for Angelo State baseball schedule breakdown.