CANYON – The Angelo State baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader with West Texas A&M, losing the first game 5-4 in nine inning and winning the second 4-2.

The Rams are now 19-6 and will look to clinch a series win in the finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

"I thought we competed really well today," Angelo State head baseball coach Kevin Brooks said. "For us to be able to compete the way we did with how short-handed we were today, I was really proud of the guys. People will have to continue to step up and hopefully we'll keep getting better. "

ASU took the lead first in both games, scoring three runs in the top half of the second inning of game one. Trevor Moses, who was making just his second start ever, walked to start the scoring effort, followed by a single from Mitch Henshaw and a walk from Parker Bramlett. A groundout from Elias Aguirre brought home the first run, and Michael Urquidi singled up the middle to bring home two more for the Rams.

In the third, Angelo State added its fourth and final run of the game, as Jacob Boston hit a one-out double and was quickly driven in by a single from Alex Salcido.

The Buffs slowly clawed back into the game with one run in the third and one in the fourth, cutting the lead to 4-2.

ASU had a chance to add to the lead in the fifth, loading the bases with one out, but WT forced an out at the plate and then got a ground ball to end the threat.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh the Rams were still on top 4-2 with Kellen Rholl on the mound looking for his sixth save. Christian Loya hit a one-out single for the Buffs to begin their rally, and pinch-hitter Brandon Marrero quickly tied the game with a  two-run home run to left field.

Rholl was able to get out of the inning without any further damage, and both teams went scoreless in the eighth. With two outs in the ninth, however, the Buffs got three straight singles, walking off and winning the game.

Looking to bounce back from the loss, Angelo State sent freshman Trent Baker to the mound to start game two. The Georgetown native did not disappoint, allowing just two runs on two hits over six innings while striking out seven batters and earning his third win of the season.

Baker was given an early lead by his teammates, who scored before he even threw a pitch. With two outs in the top half of the first inning, Andrew Morales worked a walk and swiped second to get into scoring position. Boston followed him at the plate and smacked a ground-rule double to bring Morales home.

WT quickly responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, however, on an errant pickoff throw from Baker.

The Rams got their own throwing error run in the top of the third inning to retake the lead. Urquidi and Jonathan Soberanes both reached base to begin the inning before Morales and Boston lined out. With two away, the baserunners worked a double steal, with a throwing error from the catcher allowing Urquidi to come home.

West Texas A&M responded again, getting the run back quickly and tying the game at 2-2 after three innings of play.

Finally in the top of the sixth, the Rams took the lead for good. Trevor Moses led off and reached base on a fielding error. Henshaw followed with a single and then Bramlett laid down a bunt that moved both up 90 feet. Moses ended up scoring on a wild pitch, and Elias Aguirre drove in Henshaw with a big single to right field.

Baker would not let the Buffs respond this time. The freshman struck out the first batter he faced in the bottom half of the sixth and then induced a groundout and a pop out to hold the two-run lead.

Shannon Broussard came in to relieve Baker in the seven and shut the Buffs out one final time, preserving the 4-2 win and earning the first save of his ASU career in the process.