SAN ANGELO, Texas – The third-seeded Angelo State baseball team opened the Lone Star Conference Tournament against sixth-seeded Texas A&M International, defeating the Dustdevils 9-1 in a late game at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
With the win, the Rams improve to 35-16 overall and take a one game lead in the best of three series.
 
After three scoreless innings, the Rams got on the board in the fourth inning as Tripp Clark led off with a triple before scoring on fielder's choice by Conagher Sands to make it 1-0.
 
The Dustdevils tied the game in the next inning, scoring on a single through the left side after leading off with a hit.
 
The Rams answered right back to retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Justin Harris singled to score Hunter Holt before advancing to third on an error. Tayten Tredaway hit a sac-fly to center to bring home Harris, making it 3-1.
 
Braxton Pearson started on the mound for the Rams, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six batters in five innings of work.
 
In the sixth inning, the Rams added another run as Tredaway singled to left field to bring home Weston Valasek who got on base with a hit-by-pitch.
 
The Rams continued to extend the lead in the seventh as Kamden Kelton launched a two-run homer to left field to make it 6-1.
 
In the eighth, Tripp Clark hit the second home run of the game for ASU, bringing in three runs to put the game away.
 
Johnny Stacy tossed four innings in relief without allowing a hit, striking out seven batters to pick up the save.
 
The Rams and Dustdevils will continue the opening round of the tournament tomorrow with first pitch moved up to 2 p.m.