SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State University Ram baseball team takes to the field for the season and home opener against Eastern New Mexico for a three-game series, beginning on Friday, January 31 at 3 p.m.

Series Info:
Angelo State v. Eastern New Mexico
Friday, January 31 | 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 1 | 2 p.m.
Sunday, February 2 | 1 p.m.
 
The Rams return to the diamond as the Lone Star Conference champions and look to defend their title, as they were picked to win the conference in the preseason poll. Senior outfielder Josh Elvir was named Preseason Player of the Year.

Key Players
Elvir returns as a top power hitter for the Blue and Gold. He posted .458 batting average with 20 home runs, 17 doubles, and 81 RBI. Brad Mathiowetz returns after missing the 2019 season due to injury. He was the best player in 2018, hitting .362 and tallied six home runs, 12 doubles and 39 RBI. All-American Nick Seginowich is back behind the plate for the Rams. He posted a .391 batting average with 15 home runs, 18 doubles and 60 RBI. Nick Novak rounds out a few of the top returners and is back at short stop. This will be his fourth year as a starter for the Rams in the short stop position. He hit for a .322 batting average and registered six home runs, 11 doubles, 66 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.
 
On the mound, ASU returns top three arms including Trent Baker, who is one of the top pitchers in the country. Baker recorded a 10-1 record with a 2.65 ERA. Josh Barnett returns to the mound as well after finishing with a 6-2 record last season and a 2.66 ERA. The Rams add left-handed pitcher Benjamin Elder, a transfer from the Golden Valley Conference, to the pitching staff. Elder was named Pitcher of the Year and California First Team All-State twice. He was an All-American and was named to All-State Academic Team.

Series History against ENMU:
Since the program start in 2005, the Rams are 51-20 against the Greyhounds and 40-17 in conference action. The last time these two teams met was in April 2019 and ASU went 4-0 in the series defeating Eastern New Mexico in Portales. The Rams hold a 26-8 record at home against the Greyhounds.
 
Preseason Rankings
Aside from the LSC Preseason Poll, the Rams were picked to finish first nationally, as released by Perfect Game and 12^th by Collegiate Baseball. The Rams finished the 2019 season 46-12 and advanced all the way to the South Central Super Regional tournament, falling to Colorado Mesa in a three-game series, 2-1.
 
Up Next:
Following the season and home opener, the Rams will travel to Edmond, Oklahoma, to take on Oklahoma Christian in a three-game series. The first game begins on Friday, February 7 at 1 p.m.