Angelo State Rams Win in 12 Innings to Stay Alive in LSC Tournament

SAN ANGELO, TX — It took 12 innings, but the Angelo State University baseball team is still alive in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

Jacob Guerrero scored from third base after an error by UT Tyler in the bottom of the 12th inning, and the Rams escaped with a 3-2 win Friday in an elimination game at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.

No. 1-seeded ASU (42-8) advanced to play the loser of No. 3 St. Edward’s and No. 4 Lubbock Christian at 8 p.m. today for a spot in Saturday’s tournament final.

No. 2 UT Tyler (43-11) was knocked out and will now await their fate from the regional tournament selection committee.

The Rams received an incredible performance from right-hander Alizaeh Gutierrez on the mound in this contest. Gutierrez pitched for eight innings, only allowing four hits and two earned runs, and he added four strikeouts in his outing.

After a scoreless first two innings, the Rams finally broke the stalemate in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Chase Pendley tripled to right-center to get on base before Weston Valasek hit a sac-fly to score Pendley.

Angelo State would hold a 1-0 advantage until the 5th inning, before UT Tyler would even the score 1-1. The Rams retook the lead shortly after. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Valasek doubled to left field to set up an RBI single from Tayten Treadaway to give Angelo State a 2-1 advantage.

In the top of the 9th inning, UT Tyler managed to squeak out a run to tie to send the game to extra innings.

In extras, Luke Olson took over on the mound to secure the win. He pitched 3.2 innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, with two strikeouts.

In the bottom of the 12th inning, Jacob Guerrero reached first on an error before small ball moved him to second base with a sac bunt. A wild pitch allowed him to reach third before another throwing error scored Guerrero, securing the 3-2 win.

If ASU wins again tonight, the Rams will have to win twice Saturday to claim the tournament title, beginning at 3 p.m.