SAN ANGELO, Texas – The fifth-ranked Angelo State baseball team claimed their fourth Lone Star Conference Tournament title in program history, defeating the Lubbock Christian Chaps 9-3 in the championship game on Saturday afternoon at Foster Field at 1
st Community Credit Union Stadium.
Saturday was the first LSC tournament championship for the Rams since they defeated Tarleton State 8-6 in 2015. With the win, the Rams clinch the automatic qualifier to the South-Central Regional tournament beginning Thursday, May 27 at Foster Field.
The Chaps struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, starting with a solo home run to left center before hitting an RBI double down the right field line for an early lead.
Angelo State answered back immediately in the top half of the second as
Parker Bramlett hit a single to left field to bring in
Jordan Williams before
Josh Elvir picked up an RBI with a bases loaded walk to make it 2-2.
After two scoreless innings of play, Lubbock Christian regained the lead after capitalizing on an ASU mistake, scoring a run a throwing error past first base to go up 3-2.
Once again, the lead didn't last for the Chaps as the Rams pulled away for good in the top of the sixth inning scoring seven runs, all with two outs in the inning. With the bases loaded,
Jackson Hardy forced a walk before Elvir hit a single to drive in one run while an error by the Chaps brought in another.
Aaron Walters continued to shine at the plate, hitting a two RBI single to the left side while
Thomas Cain bunted to third base for an infield hit followed by another bases loaded walk by
Koby Kelton to give the Rams a 9-3 lead.
Mat Szabo started on the mound for the Rams, throwing five innings of work with three runs off of five hits while striking out five batters.
Aaron Munson picked up the win, tossing three innings in relief while allowing only two hits and collecting four punch outs.
The Rams broke double-digits for the fifth time in the tournament in the top of the eighth inning as Williams singled to left field to bring home
Thomas Cain to extend the lead to 10-3.
Walters was named the tournament MVP while Elvir, Bramlett, Hardy, Szabo, and
Trent Baker were all named to the tournament team.
The NCAA baseball selection show will take place on Sunday, May 23 at 9 p.m., at NCAA.com, announcing the field of the South-Central Regional.
