SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State baseball team downed No.17 West Texas A&M, 2-1, in its first of a three game series on Friday night.
The Rams improved to 25-17 overall and 18-9 in the Lone Star Conference. Senior starter Matt Shannon (5-4) earned his fifth win of the season with a phenomenal eight inning performance. Entering in the ninth to close out the game with the tying run on base, Graylon Brown earned his fifth save of the season giving him a career total of 22. The all-time program leader in saves is now only two saves away from matching the LSC record of 24.The ASU offense out hit the Buffs, 5-4, as senior Sam Kohler went 3-for-3 at the plate. With the loss, WTAMU dropped to 29-13, 17-10 LSC and starter Brooks Trujillo (6-4) was credited with his fourth loss of the season.
"It was a big win for us tonihgt,"commented head Angelo State baseball coach Kevin Brooks. "[Matt Shannon] really stepped up tonight, battled, put us on his back and did a phenomenal job. Playing well defensively has been the formula for our success and we have to continue to do in order to win."
After a scoreless first inning and two runners aboard for ASU in the bottom of the second, Senior David Goggin roped a RBI single that pushed Steven Pinales across and gave the Rams a 1-0 lead. Then in the bottom of the sixth Paxton DeLaGarza bombed a solo home run over the left field bullpen to take the lead to 2-0. The Buffs would try to rally in the top of the ninth after plating a run but the ASU defense would keep the tying run from crossing.
In eight innings of work, Shannon gave up one run on three hits and retired seven hitters on strikes. The sophomore has now chalked 89 total strikeouts to his name this season. Brown's single inning of work has elevated him to share the team lead with 17 appearances this season. The senior faced three hitters and only gave up one run for the outing.
At the plate, Kohler led the squad with three hits on the night and was only one of two to draw walks. DeLaGarza's home run now pushes him to a team high and conference second six on the season. Goggin and DeLaGarza recorded the only two RBIs for the Rams.
The Rams return to Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, April 23 to complete its three game series  with a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted live in high definition on RamTV (Suddenlink 106) and on 1260AM KKSA, with Jeremy Bryant on the call.
