ALPINE, Texas – The No. 9 Angelo State University baseball team erupted for nine runs in the first inning and cruised to a 20-7 victory over Sul Ross State University on Sunday, completing its first series sweep of the 2026 season.

With the win, the Rams improved to 7-3, while the Lobos fell to 1-9 and suffered their second sweep of the year.

Angelo State set the tone early. Austin Beck drew a one-out walk before Brett Smajstrla launched his first home run of the season. Tate Greene added a sacrifice fly, and another run scored on a passed ball to extend the lead.

After a pitching change, Gamaliel Jones stole second and forced an errant throw that allowed both him and Payton Bush to score. Following two more walks, Beck capped the inning with his third home run of the season.

Both teams scored four runs over the next three innings. Jones highlighted the stretch for the Rams with a two-run single in the third and later added an RBI double in the fifth.

Two more runs were added in the sixth on a Smajstrla single and a Pendley double down the left-field line.

The Rams closed the scoring with four runs in the seventh. Chris Bernal drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, Smajstrla followed with a two-run double, and Cooper Knight added an RBI single.

Jude Stephens started for ASU and worked three innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three. Garrett Baumann earned the win after pitching 1 1/3 innings and striking out two.

The Rams return home Friday, Feb. 20 to open a four-game series against Oklahoma Christian University. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.