SAN ANGELO, Texas – A late surge wasn't enough for the 17^th-ranked Angelo State baseball team as the Rams fell to UT Tyler, 11-9, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
The loss moves the Rams to 9-7 overall on the year and in Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Patriots struck first, hitting a two-run homer in the top of the second inning for the early advantage. They added another home run in the fourth, this time a three-run shot to extend the lead.
 
ASU got one run back in the bottom half of the fourth, scoring on an RBI double by Ryder McDaniel.
 
In the top of the fifth, UTT brought in a run on a sac-fly before back-to-back home runs gave the Patriots a 9-1 lead.
 
Derek Klosowski started on the mound for the Rams, throwing three 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Rams put two runs on the board after RBI doubles from Tayten Tredaway and Jaxon Weatherly to cut into the lead. Justin Harris brought in a run in the sixth, singling to left field to score Weston Valasek to make it 9-4.
 
The Patriots tallied another home run in the seventh, a solo shot to left center to make it a six-run ball game.
 
ASU started the comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning, hitting four straight RBI doubles by Justin Harris, Jacob Guerrero, Tredaway, and Tripp Clark before Conagher Sands singled through the right side for a run to make it 10-9 heading into the final inning.
 
The Patriots answered in the top of the ninth, collecting an RBI double to make it a two-run game.
 
Mason Bryant tossed four innings of relief for the Rams, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
 
ASU got a runner on in the bottom of the ninth as Blake Wilhoite forced the walk but a double play by the Patriots sealed the victory for UTT.
 
The Rams will pause LSC action to face Alington Baptist at home on Wednesday, Feb.28 before returning to conference play on Mar. 1 on the road against UAFS.