LAREDO, Texas – The Angelo State University baseball team secured its first series win in three weeks with a doubleheader sweep of Texas A&M International, winning 10-9 and 5-3 on Saturday at Jorge Haynes Field.

With the victories, the Rams improved to 20-9 record overall.

Game 1: Angelo State 10, Texas A&M International 9
Angelo State opened the scoring in the first inning. Kannon Brooks singled to lead off the game, and after Jordan Kelly entered as a pinch runner, Blake Wilhoite drew a walk. Two defensive miscues allowed both runners to score, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead.

Texas A&M International responded with three home runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring eight runs against Rams starter Ryan Cook, who was only able to record two outs. Chance Douglas entered in relief and eventually ended the frame.

The Rams began to chip away in the third. Chase Pendley delivered a two-run triple, and Chase Becker followed with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 8-5.

Angelo State pulled within one in the fifth on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Becker. After the Dustdevils extended their lead to 9-7 in the bottom half, the Rams answered in the sixth. Wilhoite and Payton Bush each recorded RBI singles, and a passed ball allowed Brett Smajstrla — who had doubled earlier in the inning — to score the go-ahead run.

Douglas earned the win, pitching 4 1/3 innings in relief and allowing one run on four hits while striking out two.

Isaac Godard and Luke Spencer combined to close out the game. Spencer recorded the final outs with the bases loaded, striking out two to earn his second save of the series.

Game 2: Angelo State 5, Texas A&M International 3
The teams traded runs early in the second game. Texas A&M International opened the scoring with an RBI single before Angelo State responded with two runs on a single by Christian Garnette.

The Dustdevils regained the lead with a sacrifice fly and a passed ball, but the Rams answered again. Payton Bush tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the third, and Angelo State took the lead in the fourth on a defensive miscue off the bat of Tate Greene.

Garnette added an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI single to left field.

Nick Gray earned the win, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Garrett Baumann closed the game with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two to record his first save of the season.

The Rams will look to complete the series sweep Sunday, Mar. 22. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Jorge Haynes Field.