SAN ANGELO, Texas – The fifth-ranked Angelo State baseball team opens the 2023 campaign at home this weekend as the Rams host Eastern New Mexico in a four-game Lone Star Conference series at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium beginning Friday.
 
The Rams are coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history last year, claiming the LSC and South-Central Regional titles, advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship for the second year in a row while tying a program record in wins with an overall record of 51-14.
 
#5 ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-0, 0-0 LSC) vs. EASTERN NEW MEXICO GREYHOUNDS (0-0, 0-0 LSC)
Game 1: Fri., Feb. 3, 3 p.m. | Game 2/3: Sat., Feb. 4, 1 p.m. | Game 4: Sun., Feb. 5, 1 p.m.
Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium – San Angelo, Texas
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
SERIES HISTORY:
All-Time Series: ASU leads the series 61-20
Last Meeting: Apr. 16, 2022: ASU, 11-6 – Portales, N.M.
The Rams are currently riding a 14-game win streak over the Greyhounds while holding a commanding lead in the all-time series at 61-20. ASU is averaging 8.89 runs per game against ENMU and holds a 32-8 home record when facing the Greyhounds.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN NEW MEXICO:
The Greyhounds are coming off a 2022 season where they finished 17-31 overall but claimed the most conference wins in program history with a 16-30 LSC record. ENMU came in at 11 in the LSC Preseason Poll, collecting 88 points. A key returner for the Greyhounds is Spencer Raoch who was named to the NCBWA Preseason All-Region team as a designated hitter. He led the Greyhounds in almost every offensive category, finishing the season with a .395 batting average.
 
CONFERENCE FAVORITES:
The Rams were selected as the favorites to take the 2023 LSC crown, earning the top spot in the preseason poll with 407 points, including 23 first-place votes. Coming in second was West Texas A&M followed by Texas A&M- Kingsville and Lubbock Christian.
 
TOP 5 TO START THE YEAR:
ASU will begin the season ranked fifth overall in Division II according to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
NCBWA PRESEASON ALL-REGION:
The Rams had two players selected to the NCBWA Preseason All-Region Team, infielder Austin Beck and starting pitcher Aaron Munson. Beck was selected as the LSC Freshman of the Year last season after hitting .420 with 59 RBIs and 84 runs scored. He earned two All-American honors and led the Rams in stolen bases with 33. Munson led the Rams in wins a season ago, finishing with an overall record of 11-3 while collecting 81 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .277 hitting average while throwing 94 1/3 innings on the year.