The WTAMU Buffalo baseball team traveled to San Angelo to play an important four game series with the No. 22 ranked Angelo State Rams from March 28-30. The Buffs lost the first two games of the series before bouncing back and winning the last two in somewhat dominant fashion.
ASU started game one on March 28 with a two-run first, but WT answered with a three-run second before scoring another in the third for a 4-2 lead. However, the Rams answered with two in their half of the third to tie it up. Despite plating two runs in the seventh, the Buffs were unable to hold off the ASU bats in a 9-6 loss.
Junior Scott Cone (2-1) got the loss pitching 1.1 innings and giving up three runs on two hits. Senior Justin Henderson went two for four at the dish with a homerun and four RBIs, while junior Matt Redfearn was two for five with two runs scored.
In game one of a doubleheader on March 29, the Rams scored one in the second and two in third, but WT plated two in the third and one in the fourth to maintain a 3-3 tie after four innings. ASU took advantage of timely hitting and a couple Buff errors to go on to a 7-3 win.
Junior starter Joshua Weyker (2-3) took the loss throwing 4.1 innings and giving up six hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Senior
Jarvis Smith was one for three with a double and an RBI and sophomore Robert Padgett was two for three with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
WT started the nightcap with a solo shot by Smith but an RBI single by the Rams’ Andrew LaCombe would keep the game 1-1 after the first.
The Buffs retook the lead on an RBI single by senior catcher Chad Miles in the second. Senior Parker Wood scored on an error by the ASU third baseman in the sixth to seal the 3-1 victory.
“Dylan James was outstanding once again,” Head Coach Matt Vanderburg said. “Our backs were against the wall and it was a must win game and he dominated. It’s good to see that fire from him and the rest of our guys when we had to.”
James, a junior starter, (1-1) got the win going the full seven innings and giving up one run on two hits with 14 strikeouts. Smith was one for three with a homer and Miles was one for three with an RBI.
WT took advantage of seven Ram errors in the finale on March 30 to pick up a 14-3 run-rule win. The Buffs had a 5-3 lead in the sixth when
WT scored eight runs in the inning to break the game wide open, 13-3. Senior Paul Pulley and senior closer Carlos Maese did not allow an ASU run after the first inning.
Pulley (2-1) got the win pitching 6.1 innings and giving up three runs, two earned, on eight hits. Wood led the Buffs offense going two for five with a homer and three RBIs and Redfearn went two for four with two RBIs and a run scored. Junior David Hebert also went two for four with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“Hopefully, we will take some confidence from this series and start playing a little more relaxed and be the team we are capable of being,” said Vanderburg. “We still haven’t played our best baseball and when we do we are going to be a tough team to beat late.”
The Buffs now stand at 18-13 overall this season, with a 5-7 mark in Lone Star Conference action. WT’s next action will come at home as they host LSC rival Abilene Christian for the final LSC series between the two. The four game series will begin on April 5 with first pitch set for 7 p.m. from Wilder Park.
