ODESSA, Texas – The Angelo State baseball team scored three runs in the top half of the ninth to defeat UT Permian Basin on Friday afternoon.
The Rams (29-14, 10-7 LSC) left 10 runners on base but stranded 13 Falcons (7-35, 3-14 LSC) and scored the three late runs to earn the win.
"I thought Shane Browning was key, getting out of a bases-loaded jam without giving up a run," Angelo State head baseball coach Kevin Brooks said. "Then we got some big hits there in the ninth and found a way to win, so that was good."
Michael Urquidi reached base to start the game and quickly moved to second with his 28th stole base of the season, but was then thrown out attempting to steal third as well, ending the first ASU threat of the day.
The Rams stranded another runner in scoring position in the top of the second and again in the third, but UTPB finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom half of the third with a single and a double.
Angelo State rallied in the top of the fourth inning as Jacob Boston led off with a single and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Trevor Moses then singled to push Boston to third before he scored on a wild pitch.
Bradley Mathiowetz put the Rams on top for the first time all day in the next inning, smacking his team-leading fifth home run of the year. It was a solo shot, putting ASU on top 2-1.
The Falcons even the score back up in the bottom of the sixth and then loaded the bases with no outs before ASU starter Tyler Lesley was removed for Shane Browning. Browning got three straight outs without allowing a run to score, keeping the game tied at 2-2.
Browning continued to pitch well through the seventh and eighth, allowing no hits and striking out six batters overall, but the Rams were unable to retake the lead. Finally in the ninth ASU broke through.
Pinch hitter Jonathan Soberanes led off the ninth inning and walked. He came into scored quickly when the next batter, Urquidi, doubled to right center, giving ASU the lead again.
The Rams continued to add insurance runs and Nicholas Novak singled. Urquidi scored on a sacrifice fly from Mithc Henshaw and Novak came around on a wild pitch.
The lead gave Browning his fourth win of the season and allowed ASU to bring in Kellen Rholl for the ninth. The Minnesota native worked around a leadoff walk, earning his eighth save of the year.
Angelo State has three more games against UT Permian Basin this weekend, playing a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Saturday before the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
