SAN ANGELO, Texas – The No. 2 Angelo State baseball team go back on the road to continue Lone Star Conference play as the Rams take on the Chapparals of Lubbock Christian starting Friday, Mar. 7.

#2 ANGELO STATE RAMS (17-3, 17-3 LSC) vs LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (10-4, 8-4 LSC)
Game 1: Fri., Mar. 7, 5 p.m. | Game 2/3: Sat., Mar. 8, 1 p.m. | Game 4: Sun., Mar. 9, 1 p.m.
Hays Field – Lubbock, Texas
Live Video: https://www.flocollege.com/teams/7920104-angelo-state-baseball
Live Stats: https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=ange

SERIES HISTORY:
All-Time Series: ASU leads the series 36-19
Last Meeting: May 25, 2024: ASU, 17-4 – Lubbock, Texas (South Central Super Regional Final)
Although the Rams hold a commanding lead on the series, they have split the last six contests against the Chaps happening in the regular season and the South Central Super Regional. The Blue and Gold average over seven runs a game throughout the series history.

LAST TIME OUT:
After taking the first three games of the series, this weekend saw the Rams drop its first home game of the season at the hands of St. Mary's in Sunday's finale. Despite this, the Rams outscored the Rattlers 48-21.

The series against the Rattlers saw some additions to the school's record book beginning on Friday's series opener when the 23 runs scored by the Rams is now tied for fifth most in program history. Furthermore, the four hit-by-pitches taken by Weston Valasek has tied the program record for most in a game. Lastly, Jacob Guerrero became the program leader for doubles in a career.

Outside of the record book, game one was highlighted by a perfect day at the plate from Austin Beck and a near perfect day from Guerrero as the two were responsible for 12 of the teams 23 runs scored in the contest.

On the mound in game three, Alizaeh Gutierrez put together his second straight start where he did not allow a run in his six innings of work where he struck out five batters and picked off three baserunners.

SCOUTING LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN:
The Chaps enter the weekend coming off a doubleheader split on the road against in-region foe Colorado State-Pueblo of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in a battle of the country's top-10 run scoring teams.

At the plate, the Chaps boast the number four scoring offenses in DII with 191 runs scored in 18 contests thus far. The highlight of the offense is senior corner infielder Brevin McCool whose OPS of 1.754 tops the LSC by over .300 points. He has registered 33 hits including 12 home runs which lead the nation.

The mound has proven to be a downside for the Chaps as the staff ERA of 7.96 puts them in the bottom half of the conference. Ryan Markwardt has proven to be an effective starter for LCU as his 4.68 ERA is the best amongst the Chaps' starters. The senior southpaw from has registered a complete game shutout back on Feb. 15 against Oklahoma Christian.

RECORD WATCH:
The Rams have numerous career records on watch throughout the season that will be tracked here from week to week:

Runs Scored
- Austin Beck: 21 Away

Doubles
- Justin Harris: 4 behind active leader Jacob Guerrero

Walks
- Justin Harris: 23 Away

Stolen Bases
- Austin Beck: 6 Away

RAMS IN THE RANKINGS:
Following the loss on Sunday, the NCBWA dropped the Rams one spot to number three while the ABCA and D2 Baseball have kept the Rams at two.

RAMS' SKIPPER: KEVIN BROOKS
On Monday, Feb. 24, Head Coach Kevin Brooks secured win number 800 of his career. In his 21 years at the helm of the Rams' baseball program, he has collected an overall record of 803-355. His winning percentage of .693 ranks 24th all-time in Division II and is eighth on the list of active DII coaches.

WEEKLY AWARDS:
Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week
Feb. 25 - Weston Valasek

PRESEASON CONFERENCE FAVORITES:
The Rams were selected as the favorites to take the 2025 LSC crown, earning the top spot in the preseason poll with 483 points, including 29 of the 39 first-place votes. Coming in second was Lubbock Christian followed by West Texas A&M, UT Tyler and St. Edwards to round out the top five.

PRESEASON HONORS:
Jacob Guerrero (Sr., OF, Colleyville, Texas, Accounting)
- D2 Baseball Second Team All-American
- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team
- Lone Star Conference Player of the Year

Caleb Heuertz (Sr., RHP, San Angelo, Texas, Business Management)
- D2 Baseball First Team All-American
- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team

Dax Dathe (Sr., RHP, Round Rock, Texas, Coaching, Sport, Recreation and Fitness Administration)
- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team