SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State baseball team beat Eastern New Mexico 4-1 Friday night to open up the four-game weekend series against the Greyhounds.

The Rams (10-5) got a dominant performance on the mound from starting pitcher Tyler Lesley, who went eight innings while allowing just three hits and one run during his time on the mound.

"We jumped out in front early and it was a difficult night to score really," Angelo State Head Baseball Coach Kevin Brooks said. "We played good defense and didn't walk guys and just did all the little things that you need to do to win a game like that."

Before Lesley even got on the mound, however, the ASU offense had given him a three-run lead to work with. Jonathan Soberanes led it all off with a walk to start the game and promptly stole second to get into scoring position.

Michael Urquidi followed with a walk of his own, and Mitch Henshaw collected the first hit and RBI of the game when he singled up the middle.

Bradley Mathiowetz brought the next run in with a double down the right field line to drive in Urquidi. Mathiowetz had his best game of the year at the plate, going 3-3 with two doubles, a single and a walk.

Nicholas Novak loaded the bases for the Rams with a walk and Alex Salcido worked a free pass as well to push Henshaw into score the third and final run of the opening inning.

Lesley then went to work and was lights out to start the game. Through the first four innings, the San Antonio native faced the minimum, picking off the one baserunner he allowed.

Eastern New Mexico broke up the no-hitter and onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, using a double and a single for their lone run of the game.

ASU then got the run back in the top of the seventh as Mathiowetz doubled again, this time down the left field line. Andrew Morales followed with a single through the right side for the run. Morales stole second to put another Ram in scoring positon, but Novak was unable to drive him in.

Lesley went one more inning on the mound, closing the game with six strikeouts.

Left-hander Kellen Rholl came in to close out the game in the ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced and earning his fourth save in the process.

The Rams will face the Greyhounds three more times this weekend, playing a doubleheader Saturday starting at 2 p.m. CDT before the series finale at 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday.