TYLER, Texas – The third-seeded, No. 13 Angelo State baseball team opened the NCAA Division II South Central Regional with a 5-1 victory over MSU Denver on Thursday afternoon at Irwin Field.
With the win, the Rams improve to 41-17 overall and advance in the winner's bracket. MSU Denver moves into an elimination game against UT Tyler later Thursday night.
As has become a trend in recent weeks, Angelo State struck first without recording a hit.
Chase Pendley reached base on a two-out fielding error before advancing to third on an errant throw during a stolen-base attempt. A passed ball later brought him home for the game's first run.
MSU Denver tied the game in the fifth inning with an RBI single through the right side and threatened to take the lead moments later. However, a strong relay from
Gamaliel Jones to
Chase Pendley to
Blake Wilhoite cut down the potential go-ahead run at the plate to keep the game even.
The defensive play sparked the Rams offensively in the bottom half of the inning.
With two outs,
Garrett Wallace drew a walk and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt before Wilhoite reached on an RBI infield single. Jones followed with an RBI double to deep left-center field to give Angelo State a 3-1 lead.
The Rams added two insurance runs in the sixth inning.
Tate Greene drove in a run with a double down the right-field line before
Brett Smajstrla added an RBI single up the middle to cap the scoring.
Johnny Stacy made the start for Angelo State and turned in a season-high four innings, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out one.
Garrett Baumann earned the win in relief, tossing four innings and allowing five hits while striking out six.
David Dressendorfer,
Jude Stephens and
Isaac Godard also saw the mound with Godard closing out the ninth inning to secure the victory.
The Rams return to action on Friday, May 15, when they face second-seeded host UT Tyler at 7 p.m. at Irwin Field.
