CARY, N.C. – The third-seeded Angelo State baseball team opened the 2023 NCAA Division II National Baseball Championship with a victory, defeating sixth-seeded Southern New Hampshire 2-1 on Sunday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
 
With the win, the Rams improve their overall record to 53-9 on the season.
 
The Penmen struck first, picking up a run in the top of the second inning with a single to center field for the early advantage.
 
ASU answered in the bottom of the third as Kamden Kelton led off with a single before advancing to second on a sac bunt from Tyler Boggs and third on a balk. Thomas Cain drove in the run on a single to left field to tie the game.
 
Aaron Munson, who picked up his 10^th win of the season, got out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of the third with a strikeout and retired the next 12 batters for SNHU in a row. He finished with seven innings of work with one run on four hits to go along with 11 punchouts.
 
In the fourth inning, Tripp Clark led off with a single to center field before stealing second base. Justin Harris brought in what would be the game-winning run on a groundout to score Clark.
 
Throwing in relief was Caleb Heuertz who tossed two innings with only one hit and two strikeouts to earn his fourth save of the season.
 
Clark led the Rams at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.
 
The Rams will face second-seed North Greenville in the winner's bracket on Tuesday, June 4 at 5 p.m. CST.