April 13, 2006

The West Texas A&M University baseball team will host a four-game Lone Star Conference South series against Angelo State University this weekend, April 14-15, at Potter County Memorial Stadium. Games will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Second-year program ASU swept the Buffs in four games last season, WTAMU is 0-4 all-time against the Rams.

Currently, WTAMU is 20-20 overall and knotted in a three-way tie for first place in the LSC South with Abilene Christian University and Texas A&M University-Kingsville with their 5-3 LSC record. ASU is 27-14 on the year and are in fourth place with a 4-4 in LSC South action.

The Buffs have not won more than 20 games in a season since finishing 31-17 in the 2002 campaign.

For the Buffs, sophomore Justin Graham is leading the team with his .398 batting average. He has reached base in nine of WTAMU's last 10 games, going 21-38 (.553) with three doubles, a triple and 12 RBI. Sophomores Brian Schupp and Brady Ribinskas are leading the team with 28 RBI each, while Ribinskas also has a team-high five home runs. The Buffs are hitting .312 as a team with a .417 slugging percentage.

ASU has good pitching and offense. They have a team ERA of 3.90, led by senior J.W. Nastoupil and his 7-0 record and 3.92 ERA. Nastoupil is the LSC South Pitcher of the Week after pitching a two-hitter against ACU last weekend. The Rams are hitting .343 as a team, led by senior infielder John Beal, hitting .453. Beal also has 27 steals on 37 attempts.

After this weekend, WTAMU will host Wayland Baptist University in a one-game, nine inning affair Tuesday, April 18, at Potter County Memorial Stadium. The Buffs lost at WBU earlier in the season, 13-8.

For ticket information, contact the WTAMU Athletics office at (806) 651-4400.