Game 1 Final Stats (.pdf) | Game 2 Final Stats (.pdf)

FORT WORTH – The Angelo State baseball team extended its winning streak to nine-games, tying the second longest such streak in program history, with a pair of wins en route to a sweep of Henderson State in a non-conference game at LaGrave Field. The Rams scored three runs in the fifth inning of game one to defeat the Reddies, 5-1, before breaking a 3-3 tie in the final inning of play in the seventh inning of the night cap to win 5-4.

With the win, the Rams improve to 16-7 on the season and have won 12 of their last 13 games, while Henderson State falls to 9-9 on the year.

Junior second baseman Zach Cohen tallied a base hit in game one and a pair of doubles in game two to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. Cohen finished the day going 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Junior Toby Semler, who saw action behind the plate and at third base, went 2-for-6 with a run scored.

Junior left-hander Matt Rechkemmer (3-0) took the mound in game one and turned in a solid performance once again. The Lubbock native collected his third win of the season after tossing 5.1 innings of work and allowing just one earned run on four hits. The one run came in the top of the fifth to put the Reddies up 1-0. But the Rams did what they do best and mounted a comeback in the bottom of the frame, plating three runs on two hits and capitalizing on a pair of HSU miscues.

With a two-run lead (3-1), the Rams tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth on a lead-off double by leftfielder Garret Harris, who finished the game going 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Leonhardt singled through the right side to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Semler roped a one-out single to right driving in Harris. Leonhardt scored on a passed ball to complete the Rams' scoring.

Right-hander Steven Valles pitched the seventh and final inning retiring the Reddies in order to preserve the 5-1 victory. HSU's Dustin Thornton (1-1) absorbed the loss surrendering three runs on as many hits in 4.0 innings of work.

With their bats still hot from game one, the Rams jumped on the board in the top of the first in the second game taking an early 1-0 lead. However, the Reddies, evened the score at one with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. That was the story for much of game two. Angelo State added a run in the fourth and another in the fifth on Harris' second homer of the season to take a 3-1 advantage. The Rams' lead wouldn't last long as Henderson State countered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game, yet again.

Heading into the seventh, and final inning of play, third baseman Marcellous Biggins dropped a lead-off single into right-center field and scored on Cohen's second double of the game. Centerfielder Joseph Leftridge singled to left scoring Cohen before getting caught stealing to end the inning.

James Conlee (4-0) earned his fourth win of the season after coming on in relief of ASU starter Craig Blair. Conlee pitched 1.1 innings and allowed one run, a homer to Ryan Ellis in the bottom of the seventh, on two hits. After the home run, Conlee regained his composure and struck out two of the next three batters he faced to finish the ballgame. Henderson State's Alex Aguilar (1-2) took the loss after giving up two runs, both earned, on three hits in just 1.0 inning.

The Rams look to continue their hot streak Friday, March 18, when they host No. 13 St. Mary's in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m., at Foster Field. Live Stats and live video will be available. The game will also be broadcast live on KKSA 1260 and on AngleoSports.com.

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