SAN ANGELO, Texas – The 17^th-ranked Angelo State baseball team returns to friendly confines this week as the Rams continue Lone Star Conference action against UT Tyler in a four-game series beginning on Friday at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium
 
#17 ANGELO STATE RAMS (8-4, 8-4 LSC) vs. UT TYLER PATRIOTS (6-6, 6-6 LSC)
Game 1: Fri., Feb. 23, 3 p.m. | Game 2/3: Sat., Feb. 24, 1 p.m. | Game 4: Sun., Feb. 25, 1 p.m.
Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium – San Angelo, Texas
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams split the series with UT Permian Basin despite out-scoring the Falcons 43-25. Highlighting the victories are Weston Valasek's go-ahead, two-run home run in the 10^th inning of game one, and Conagher Sands' seven-RBI performance which included two doubles and a triple in game two. On the mound, Braxton Pearson continues to lead the pitching staff as he allowed an unearned run while striking out six in six innings of work in the series opener.
 
SERIES HISTORY:
All-Time Series: ASU leads the series 9-6
Last Meeting: May 21, 2023, NCAA DII South Central Regional Final: ASU, 8-5 – San Angelo, Texas
The series between the Rams and Patriots has remained competitive since their first meeting in 2021. Since the conference schedule changed to a four-game conference series two seasons ago, the teams have split in the regular season.
 
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS:
The Patriots enter the weekend with a 6-6 record after splitting their first three series of the season against Oklahoma Christian, St. Mary's, and Lubbock Christian. They find themselves in the bottom half of the conference with a .256 team batting average. The spotlight at the plate is on Lane Hutchinson, who is the team leader in hitting with a .349 average and is tied for third in the LSC with six doubles.

On the mound, a strong bullpen has catapulted the Patriots pitching staff to third in the conference with a 3.82 ERA and second in hits allowed (86). Dylan Blomquist highlights the starters as he leads the qualified pitchers in ERA with a 4.15 over 13 innings pitched.
 
QUICK HITS:
- Tripp Clark continues his hot start to the season as he sits atop the conference with a 1.401 OPS, he is second in home runs (4), hits (19), triples (2) and RBIs (19), third in runs scored (16) and is fourth in batting average (.452).
- Tayten Tredaway leads the LSC in doubles with nine.
- Justin Harris 14 walks on the season puts him second in the conference.
- Weston Valasek leads in being hit by pitches with nine.
- Braxton Pearson leads the LSC in strikeouts (24) and walks allowed (1).
- Dax Dathe sits in second behind Pearson in strikeouts (21).
 
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
- Feb. 12 – Tripp Clark, Angelo State (Hitter)

CONFERENCE FAVORITES:
The Rams were selected as the favorites to take the 2024 LSC crown, earning the top spot in the preseason poll with 503 points, including 38 of the 39 first-place votes. Coming in second was UT Tyler followed by St. Edwards and Lubbock Christian.

NCBWA PRESEASON ALL - AMERICANS:
The Rams had four players selected to the NCBWA Preseason All-American Team, earning First-Team honors was outfielder Jacob Guerrero who was also selected as the 2024 Lone Star Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Being named to the All-American Second-Team is starting pitcher Braxton Pearson, who was named Lone Star Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year and catcher Tripp Clark. Rounding out the honors is utility man Austin Beck who was named an Honorable Mention.