San Angelo, TX –The Angelo State Rams (18-5 overall) head to San Antonio for a single game matchup against the St. Mary's Rattlers (17-8) on Tuesday, March 19th at 6 p.m before they return home for their first conference series against UTPB. Both teams were named to the NCBWA South Central Region Top 10 with the Rams coming in at #4 and the Rattlers at #10.
No Strangers
The first time these two teams met this season was in San Angelo for a single game contest as well, with the Rams winning 8-7. Although the Rattlers had outhit ASU, a few outstanding Ram's performances allowed the team to stay afloat.
Nicholas Novak, Nick Seginowich, and Jackson Hardy all combined for seven of the team's 11 hits, and seven of the team's eight RBIs. Seginowich finished the game a perfect 4-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Novak was 1-3 at the plate with a two RBI double, and Jackson Hardy was a solid 2-4 with three RBIs.
Both teams had struggled on the bump in the game, with nine total pitchers spending time on the mound. In the end, Fabian Muniz had earned his second win of the season and Josh Barnett had earned his second save.
Plate Presence
The Rams have found success through their explosive lineup. Josh Elvir has had a standout season thus far as he boasts a .406 average and leads the Lone Star Conference in a number of hitting categories. Elvir currently ranks first within the conference in slugging percentage (.891), on base percentage (.573), runs scored (33), home runs (8), and walks (23). He has had seven multiple hit games in the 2019 season to add to his impressive statistical repertoire. If the Ram lineup acts as a machine then Elvir in the fulcrum.
Lachlan Mayo has begun his career at Angelo State on a high note. He currently stands as the team's batting average leader with a .429 clip, 23 RBIs, and six doubles. The best part to his already impressive stats is that the Australian newcomer has only struck out eight times.
Every member of Angelo State's typical lineup have a batting average of at least .300, and all fill a vital role in the team's ability to overwhelm teams with their run production.
Jackson Hardy has kickstarted his college career with a phenomenal freshman campaign. With a .379 batting average and a team-leading 14 stolen bases, the Silsbee native has been a thorn in opposing team's side for 23 games.
Nick Seginowich has shown his ability to hit consistently and with power. His .623 slugging percentage, eight doubles, and four homeruns are complimented nicely by his healthy .364 batting average.
Riley Peterson currently profiles as the teams hardest out. The junior from Albuquerque maintains a .354 average with 10 walks to only 11 strikeouts in his 79 at bats. Peterson also leads the team with his nine doubles.
Jordan Williams has been the tip of the spear for the Rams and is often looked to for sacrifice bunts (in which he leads the conference with 5), and has hit for average well as displayed by his .353 batting average and .467 on base percentage.
Nicholas Novak, who was named a preseason player to watch, has been dealt a tough hand from pitchers every time he steps up to the plate. Even in his tough season at the plate to this point, Novak has still been productive, driving in a team second 20 runs. The Stillwater native remains a player to keep an eye on due to his ability to flash leather at short stop and his quick swing from the left side.
Michael Urquidi has remained the all-around installment at the plate for the Rams. Although Urquidi is hitting at a .329 clip, he reaches base 48% of the time. His "bad games" in the hit column have not disqualified him from collecting stolen bases (12-13) or crossing the plate as a runner. Urquidi and Novak both have this talent and add value as fixtures in the Ram lineup.
Mound Presence
The Rams rotation has faced strong opposition this year facing opponents such as Colorado School of Mines and Lubbock Christian, who both rank in the top 10 of the South Central Region as well. While the starting rotation has shifted and roles have changed for some relievers, the Rams are still faring well in comparison to the rest of the conference. The ASU pitching staff currently sits at a 5.04 ERA over their 182 innings of work. In this time they have held opposing hitters to a .287 average and given up 17 homeruns.
Trent Baker currently stands as the ace of the team with his 2.39 ERA over six starts. After making his transition from the bullpen as a closer to a starter, the young Georgetown talent now plays a crucial role in the Ram pitching staff. In 37.2 innings of work the hard throwing sophomore has struck out 33 and walked 11. He is holding hitters to a .234 average.
When it comes to closing out games it's Josh Barnett's name that is usually called. Barnett is the saves leader on the team with just two, but the rest of his numbers tell the story. In his 11.1 innings of work he has given up only eight hits while striking out 17. The real kicker is that the redshirt sophomore has yet to walk a batter this season.
Shannon Broussard is a name Ram fans can expect to see called to fill some time on the bump. Currently holding a 3.86 ERA in 9.1 innings of work, it is likely that this number will drop as he gets more innings under his belt. Notably, the Baytown southpaw is holding hitters to a measly .167 average and currently has a 10-6 strikeout to walk ratio.
The Bad Guys
The Rattlers moved up in the regional poll as well this week, now sitting in the #10 spot due to their current eight game winning streak. St. Mary's was able to take two games from their three game series with Lubbock Christian, and split their series with West Texas A&M, who currently sits atop the Lone Star Conference in regional voting. They are currently ranked fourth in the Heartland conference in team batting average and have the best team ERA in their conference with a 3.64.
Angelo State will finally return home after they play St. Mary's for a four game series against the UT – Permian Basin Falcons to officially start conference play.
