SAN ANGELO - The Angelo State baseball team opened its 2017 season Friday afternoon in front of a large Opening Day crowd at Foster Field at First Community Credit Union Stadium, but dropped the series opener 5-1.

The Rams (0-1) were unable to find their way on base in the game, scratching across just four hits in the matchup compared to 12 for the Rangers (1-0). Rams pitcher Matt Shannon took the loss (0-1), giving up all three runs on nine hits in five innings pitched, while Brad Thoutt (1-0) earned the win after going eight innings and giving up just one run on four hits.

Both teams started off the 2017 with a hit, as Max Fabricant singled to open the game. Shannon would turn a double-play just two batters later to end the inning after just three batters. Jacob Boston would return the favor in the bottom half of the first, leading off with a single to left field. The junior would follow up with a stolen base, move to third on a fielder's choice and eventually score on a sacrifice fly from Jay Gonzales, putting Angelo State on the board first in the matchup.

Shannon would get another shutout inning in the second, but the Rangers would tie the game back up in the third inning after a walk came around to score. Regis would get another run in the fourth and fifth innings as well, taking a 3-1 lead into the sixth.

In the sixth, Ryan Smith would enter the game on the mound for ASU, making his first appearance for the Rams ever. Smith shutout the Rangers in the top half of the sixth, and Angelo State would have its last best chance to score in the bottom half of the inning. Infielder Nate Ruane led off the inning, getting on base after getting hit by a pitch. Ruane would leave the game immediately for pinch runner Jonathan Soberanes. Junior Elias Aguirre would get a bunt single down next to put two on with nobody out, and a sacrifice fly moved Soberanes to third with just one out. The junior would be unable to score, however, and Thoutt would get through the inning unscathed.

ASU got just two baserunners the rest of the game, while Regis brought in two more runs in the seventh off Smith, who pitched the final four innings, striking out one and giving up three hits.

The Rams will return to the diamond again at 2 p.m. Saturday, taking on the Rangers in game two of the series at Foster Field at First Community Credit Union Stadium.