TYLER, Texas – A walk-off sacrifice fly from
Payton Bush lifted the second-seeded, No. 12 Angelo State baseball team to a 3-2 victory over third-seeded St. Mary's in the quarterfinal round of the Lone Star Conference Championship on Thursday afternoon at Irwin Field.
With the win, the Rams improve to 39-15 overall and advance to the winner's bracket of the LSC Championship.
Thursday's contest also marked the first time in program history that Angelo State was involved in a no-hitter.
The Rams took an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on St. Mary's defensive miscues.
Blake Wilhoite scored the game's first run on a failed back-pick attempt before Gam Jones came home on an errant pickoff throw to give Angelo State a 2-0 advantage.
St. Mary's answered in the second inning with a solo home run off Angelo State starter
Johnny Stacy. The right-hander struck out three in one inning of work before
Garrett Baumann entered in relief.
Baumann delivered a dominant outing, working seven innings while allowing just one run on four walks and striking out four. The lone run against him came on the first pitch of the ninth inning, a game-tying solo home run.
Nick Gray recorded the final three outs to earn the win in relief and improve to 7-2 on the season.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jones reached on the Rattlers' fifth error of the game and quickly moved into scoring position with a stolen base.
Chase Pendley advanced him to third on a groundout before St. Mary's intentionally walked
Austin Beck and hit
Brett Smajstrla with a pitch to load the bases.
Bush then delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Jones and sending the Rams into the next round.
Angelo State will next face the winner between fifth-seeded Lubbock Christian and top-seeded UT Tyler. First pitch from Irwin Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.
