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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Baseball) – No. 25/22 Texas A&M University-Kingsville faced the tough task of opposing 2016 Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Year Bryce Zak in an elimination game Saturday at Foster Field. Unfortunately for the Javelinas, #RV/RV Angelo State University was able to take the LSC Tournament contest, 11-1, to advance to take on Cameron University, with the winner advancing to the championship game versus West Texas A&M University.
 
The Aggies defeated the Rams, 5-2, last night. The Javelinas fell to 34-17 in 2016 and the Rams improved to 33-19.
 
Making his seventh start of the season, Sebi Palacios tossed a scoreless first, stranding an ASU baserunner at second base.
 
A delayed steal by Michael Urquidi put runners on second and third in the top of the second and interference was initially called on what appeared to be a high throw. After an umpires meeting, the call was overturned and Palacios punched out Nathan Ruane for the second out of the inning. A high chopper on the turf allowed the Rams to take a 1-0 lead and a bunt single by Elias Aguirre extended Angelo State's lead to 2-0. The Rams tacked on six runs in the third to take an 8-0 lead. Two of the runs came after a close play at third nearly turned into a double play.
 
With one out in the third, the Javelinas made a pitching change, bringing in southpaw Jako Kelm. Palacios' day finished with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings, but the right-hander allowed six runs on seven hits.
 
Jacob Foitek entered the game in the top of the fourth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning and went 2.0 scoreless, striking out two. Brayton Carlson singled for TAMUK's first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Hunter Lehman threw a scoreless sixth and Chad Vanaman went behind the dish as a defensive substitution.
 
The Rams scored a run in the seventh for a 9-0 edge. Paxton DelaGarza hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning for his first hit of the 2016 LSC Tournament to extend the lead to 11-0.
 
Roche drilled a triple off the right center field wall in the bottom of the eighth for Kingsville's second hit of the ballgame. One pitch later, he came around to score on Miles Holcomb's RBI groundout.
 
After a two-out walk to Brayton Carlson, Alec Kana found a hole through the left side for his third hit of the season, forcing a mound visit for Zak.
 
Palacios (1-2) was charged with the loss and Zak improved to 8-2 with 10 strikeouts in a complete game performance. An efficient day on the mound, the right-hander threw just 84 pitches in the 9.0 innings.
 
The Javelinas, who rank second in the latest regional poll, await word to see if they will advance to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. The selection show is set for Sunday at 9 p.m. CST.
 
Be sure to follow the six-time Lone Star Conference championships on Twitter (@JavelinaBSB) and Instagram (@JavelinaBSB), and like the /JavelinaSports Facebook page.