SAN ANGELO, Texas – The sixth-ranked Angelo State baseball team began the second round of the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament with a 13-3 victory over fifth-seed UT Tyler on Thursday at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
With the win, the Rams improve to 43-10 and have now won 18 straight games.
 
The Patriots opened the scoring in the first inning, hitting a solo home run to go up 1-0, but the Rams answered back immediately with three runs in the bottom half. Aaron Walters hit a two-RBI double to score Koby Kelton and Austin Beck while Jordan Williams grounded out, scoring Walters in the process.
 
ASU added to the lead in the second inning as Beck recorded his second hit of the game, this time a two-run shot over the center field wall to go up 5-1.
 
The ball continued to fly out of the park in the third inning for the Rams who tallied eight runs while hitting four homers in the frame. Kamden Kelton led things off with a solo shot over the left field wall before Tripp Clark hit a two-run shot of his own. After a single by Koby Kelton brought in a run, Justin Lee his a three-run blast followed by a homer by Jordan Williams to give ASU a 13-1 lead.
 
After allowing the initial home run, Benjamin Elder settled down on the mound for the Rams, retiring 11 straight batters. He finished with seven innings pitched with one run on three hits and five strikeouts.
 
The Patriots kept up the fight, scoring one run in the eighth and ninth innings while holding the Rams scoreless for the final five innings but UTT couldn't overcome the early deficit.
 
Reese Johnson made his second appearance on the mound this season, throwing one inning of relief with one hit, one run, and two strikeouts. Also pitching an inning was Parker Tennill who allowed two hits and a run with one strikeout.
 
The Rams will now face #2-seed West Texas A&M in the winner's bracket on Friday at 3 p.m.