SAN ANGELO, TX – The Angelo State Rams entered their 3:30 game on Saturday with their backs against the wall. Losing the game would mean ending one of the most exciting seasons of Ram baseball there has ever been, and winning would give them a second chance at taking down one of the hottest teams in the South Central Region.
Game 1
The Hillcats showed their fangs early on the first pitch of the game as Christian Merriwether drove a ball over the right field fence to give Rogers State an early lead. The Rams were quick to respond with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning thanks to a six hit  four run rally that set the tone for the rest of the game. Even when the Hillcats tried to chip away at the lead, the Rams retaliated with a two run bottom of the third. Angelo State would continue to score in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to put enough distance between themselves to collect the 13-6 win.
 The Rams hit total at the end of the game was 17 strong with six different Rams collecting multiple hits. Parker Bramlett swung the hot bat of the afternoon, going 3-5 with five RBI. Riley Peterson and Josh Elvir were also regulars on the base paths as the two first-year Rams scattered three hits of their own.
Tyler Lesley earned the start and gave the Rams exactly what they need out of him. The San Antonio native remained on the bump for 7.1 innings giving up only three runs on seven hits while striking out eight. The senior's ability to give his team a deep outing helped the Rams preserve a pitching advantage over the Hillcats, preserving arms for relief in the championship game.
Shannon Broussard and Jake Morgan would combine for the final 1.2 innings of relief in the game. Broussard finished with a line of three runs on four hits while striking out two in his inning of work. Morgan face the final two hitters and induced a groundout and a strikeout.
Game 2
The South Central Region 2 Championship game was one that the town of San Angelo will not soon forget. If people forget the comeback or the 29 total runs in the game, they are sure to remember the four hour duration.
The Rams came out hot in the first inning of the second game, looking to build off of the momentum from their earlier win. In typical game four fashion, the championship game was framed to be a battle of the bullpens, and that's exactly what attendees got. After five walks and two hits, ASU was up three after their first trip to the plate as a team. Nick Follett would tie it up on his own in the bottom of the first with a three run home to reinflate the Hillcats heading into the top of the second. Rogers State held the Rams runless in the top half of the inning and would plate six more runs of their own in the bottom half. Follett was back in full force with a grand slam that was compliment by Zack Mann's two RBI single. By the end of the second inning the Hillcats led the Rams 9-3. The fourth inning of the game was when the tide of the game turned and the Rams took the lead that they would hold for the rest of the game. In fact, the Rams plated six runs on only two hits in the sixth inning which was highlighted by a bases clearing double from Josh Elvir that gave the Rams an 11-10 lead. ASU did not give up a single run for the rest of the game while tacking on eight more of their own.
Fabian Muniz was the gem of the Angelo State bullpen on the night. After entering the game with his team down 10-5, the California native completed the final six innings of the championship game while only giving up two hits. Muniz walked three and struck out three while inducing 12 groundouts to earn his sixth win of the season. His record stands at 6-1 now.
A tip of the cap goes to Nick Follett on his 3-4 seven RBI performance.
The Rams continue on to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship that will be played on May 24-25. A decision is still being made on the host site due to a potential field conflict. Further details will be reported as they are made clear.
