SAN ANGELO, Texas – After a two-game pause, the third-ranked Angelo State baseball team returns to Lone Star Conference action as the Rams host St. Mary's in a four-game series beginning Friday at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams put on an offensive showcase in their two-game sweep of Southwestern. In game two, the Rams tallied a program record 33 runs in a single game with Justin Harris leading the squad with eight RBIs which is the second most in a single game in program history. Southwestern was the only nonconference series the Rams will face this season.
 
#3 ANGELO STATE RAMS (23-3, 21-3 LSC) vs. ST. MARY'S RATTLERS (10-11, 9-11 LSC)
Game 1: Fri., Mar. 17, 3 p.m. | Game 2/3: Sat., Mar. 18, 2 p.m. | Sun. Mar. 19, 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 29-8
Last Meeting: May 7, 2022 – ASU, 23-5
The Rams have had control in the series to date, holding a .738 winning percentage over the Rattlers. ASU averages just under nine runs per game and are currently on the longest win streak in series history at 17 games.
 
SCOUTING THE RATTLERS:
The Rattlers enter the weekend with a 10-11 overall record, going 9-11 in LSC play. StMU opened the season with a series win over UT Permian Basin, taking three of four games, while splitting against UAFS, Oklahoma Christian, and Lubbock Christian.
 
StMU is ninth in the conference in batting average at .290 and ranks 10^th in ERA at 7.35. Clay Bradford is the leading hitter for the Rattlers, holding a .421 batting average with 18 RBIs and six home runs on the season. Behind him is Jacob King with a .400 average and 12 RBIs. Bradford also leads the Ratters on the mound, holding a 3-1 record in five starts with 15 strikeouts through 27 innings. Andrew Girod has made six appearances, earning a 2.30 ERA with 20 punchouts in 15 2/3 innings.
 
LEADING THE REGION:
The Rams came in at No. 1 in the latest NCBWA South-Central Regional Poll, earning all eight first-place votes. St. Edward's moved up a spot in the poll to No. 2 followed by Colorado Mesa in third.
 
ATOP THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE:
The Rams hold the top record in the Lone Star, at 21-3 in conference play. In second is St. Edward's with a 14-5 conference record followed by West Texas A&M in third at 17-6.
 
QUICK HITS:
-The Rams hold the top batting average in all of Division II at .369.
-ASU ranks first in runs scored (279), second in hits (288) and seventh in doubles (55) in Division II.
-The Rams have the top on-base percentage in the country at .488.
-ASU's pitching staff holds a 3.25 ERA which leads the LSC and is 10^th in the country.
-The Rams have stolen 71 bases this season which ranks fourth in DII.
-The Rams average 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings which is the third-highest average in DII.
-Jacob Guerrero holds the highest on-base percentage in the country at .640.
-Austin Beck has scored the most runs (39) and ranks fifth in walks (23) in Division II.
 
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
- Feb. 14 – Braxton Pearson, Angelo State (Pitcher)
- Feb. 21 – Jordan Williams, Angelo State (Hitter)
- Mar. 14 – Aaron Munson, Angelo State (Pitcher)
- Mar. 14 – Jacob Guerrero, Angelo State (Hitter)
 
RAMS SET PROGRAM SCORING RECORD:
In a nonconference game against Southwestern, the Rams defeated the Pirates 33-4, setting a new program record for runs scored in a game. The previous record of 29 runs was set in 2021 against McMurry.
 
NEW HIT KING AT ASU:
Jordan Williams became the all-time hit leader for the Rams this season, surpassing 250 hits in his career.
 
WIN No. 700:
Against UAFS earlier this season, Head Coach Kevin Brooks tallied his 700^th win at Angelo State.
 
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.
 
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.