CARY, N.C. — The Angelo State Rams baseball team lost Thursday's semifinal game at the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship, but don't count the team out yet.
The loss forces a rematch against the Crimson Hawks in an elimination game with the winner advancing to the championship series.
IUP scored first in the bottom of the first inning as a one-out hit by pitch set up a two-run home run to center field. In the second inning, Ryder McDaniel grounded out to score Kamden Kelton for ASU's first run but the Crimson Hawks had two more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
ASU added a run in the third on an RBI single by Conagher Sands before a second RBI ground out by McDaniel in the fourth made the score 4-3. IUP responded, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped off by a two-RBI home run.
The Rams scored two runs at the top of the fifth inning with an RBI ground out from Weston Valasek and an RBI single from Kelton to make it 8-5. Jackson Berry tossed three 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two batters. Both teams traded two runs in the eighth inning with ASU scoring on a two-RBI double from McDaniel and the Crimson Hawks scoring on a RBI single and a sacrifice bunt.
The Rams were able to cut into the deficit in the top of the ninth as three walks loaded the bases and a hit by pitch scored a run before a pop out sealed the win for IUP.
The Rams and Crimson Hawks face off again for a spot in the championship game. The first pitch is at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
