SAN ANGELO, Texas – The No. 1 Angelo State baseball team is set to host No. 24 St. Edward's in a pivotal Lone Star Conference series beginning on Friday, Apr. 4 at Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium.

To counter inclement weather that is expected to hit the San Angelo area on Friday, the series schedule has been updated which can be seen below.

#1 ANGELO STATE RAMS (28-6, 26-6 LSC) vs #24 ST. EDWARD'S HILLTOPPERS (27-11, 26-10 LSC)

Game 1/2: Sat., Apr. 5, 1 p.m. | Game 3: Sun., Apr. 6, 3 p.m. | Game 4: Mon., Apr. 7, 1 p.m.

Foster Field at 1^st Community Credit Union Stadium – San Angelo, Texas

Live Video: FloCollege

Live Stats: Angelostats.com

SERIES HISTORY:

All-Time Series: ASU leads the series 21-6

Last Meeting: Apr. 21, 2024: StEU, 7-5 – Austin, Texas

The Rams hold a firm grip throughout the series history, averaging over seven runs a game. However, the Hilltoppers earned a series split in Austin during the 2024 regular season.

LAST TIME OUT:

Angelo State earned the fifth series sweep of the season after taking down Texas A&M-Kingsville in two doubleheaders on the road by a combined score of 32-6 to extend the Rams winning streak to 10 games.

Offensively, Weston Valasek carried the Rams with a home run, two doubles and a total of 6 RBIs on day one. On day two, Chase Pendley was the hero in game three with as he knocked in three RBIs including the go-ahead run the top of the seventh inning. Lane Hutchinson provided three RBIs to help the Rams secure game four and the sweep.

On the mound, Dax Dathe twirled a gem in game one as he carried a no hitter into the seventh but ultimately settled for his first career complete game shutout as the senior right hander struck out seven Javelinas. Nick Wilson, Josh Reed and Ryan Free each earned wins after their respective efforts in games two, three and four respectively.

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS:

St. Edward's enters the weekend with a 27-11 (26-10, LSC) record as the Hilltoppers have won seven of their last ten games. Last time out, StEU bounced back after a game one loss to take the series against Lubbock Christian at home.

At the plate, StEU ranked seventh in the conference with a .305 team batting average. Connor Cox highlights the Hilltoppers' offensive success as he is the reigning Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week after tying the conference record for doubles in a game (4). The junior outfielder also hit two home runs and contributed 11 total runs towards the series win.

The Hilltoppers sit within the top five of the conference with a 5.44 team ERA. Kobe Jaramillo is the Friday night ace of the staff as the senior from Bishop, Texas sports a perfect 6-0 record, holds a 2.64 ERA, which is second in the conference, and leads the conference with 71 strikeouts as he's limited opponents batters to a .201 average.

QUICK HITS:

- ASU leads DII in numerous offensive categories including; Batting Average (.382), On Base Percentage (.511), and Runs Scored (384).

- Jacob Guerrero has reached base safely in 33 of the 34 games he has appeared in this season.

- Chase Pendley holds the Rams longest active hitting and on-base streak at 10 games each.

- The Rams have scored 20+ runs in four games thus far in 2025, one more than the entire 2024 season.

- The Blue and Gold are 24-2 when they out hit their opponents this season.

- The Rams have scored more runs in the first inning, 72, than any other inning this season.

- Two batters have registered inside the park home runs this season (Justin Harris & Brett Smajstrla)

- Five pitchers have registered a save for the Rams; Caleb Heuertz (2), Josh Reed (2), Luke Olson (2), Jude Cook (1) and Keene Kreusler (1).

- Eight pitchers have held opponents' batting average below .300.

RECORD WATCH:

The Rams have numerous records on watch throughout the season that will be tracked here from week to week. The number listed is the amount needed to BREAK the record:

PROGRAM RECORDS:

Runs Scored in a Career

- 11, Austin Beck

Doubles in a Career

- Justin Harris is 1 behind active leader Jacob Guerrero

Walks in a Career

- 13, Justin Harris

LONE STAR CONFERENCE RECORDS:

Runs Scored in a Career

- 11, Austin Beck

Triples in a Career

- 4, Austin Beck

BROKEN RECORDS THIS SEASON:

Doubles in a Career

- 57, Jacob Guerrero

Hit by Pitch in a Career

- 70, Weston Valasek

Stolen Bases in a Career

- 104, Austin Beck

RAMS IN THE RANKINGS:

No. 1 – D2 Baseball

No. 2 – American Baseball Coaches Association

No. 3 – National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association

RAMS' SKIPPER: KEVIN BROOKS

On Monday, Feb. 24, Head Coach Kevin Brooks secured win number 800 of his career. In his 21 years at the helm of the Rams' baseball program, he has collected an overall record of 803-355. His winning percentage of .693 ranks 24th all-time in Division II and is eighth on the list of active DII coaches.

WEEKLY AWARDS:

Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week

Feb. 25 - Weston Valasek

PRESEASON CONFERENCE FAVORITES:

The Rams were selected as the favorites to take the 2025 LSC crown, earning the top spot in the preseason poll with 483 points, including 29 of the 39 first-place votes. Coming in second was Lubbock Christian followed by West Texas A&M, UT Tyler and St. Edwards to round out the top five.

PRESEASON HONORS:

Jacob Guerrero (Sr., OF, Colleyville, Texas, Accounting)

- D2 Baseball Second Team All-American

- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team

- Lone Star Conference Player of the Year

Caleb Heuertz (Sr., RHP, San Angelo, Texas, Business Management)

- D2 Baseball First Team All-American

- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team

Dax Dathe (Sr., RHP, Round Rock, Texas, Coaching, Sport, Recreation and Fitness Administration)

- NCBWA All-South Central Region Team

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