ODESSA, Texas (February 1, 2026) – Sophomore Damian Robles pitched 5.2 innings allowing just three hits and freshman Daylon Jefcoats delivered a two-run single to center field with two outs in the fifth inning as The University of Texas Permian Basin baseball team allowed just four hits by the Rams and earned its first win of the 2026 season with a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 12 Angelo State University at Roden Field.

Unlike most series finales in the Lone Star Conference, this one was a pitcher's duel and was a defensive battle. It was the first time in the last eight games against Angelo State (2-1 overall, 2-1 LSC) that UTPB (1-2, 1-2) did not commit an error against the Rams.

UTPB catcher Jarren Lewis caught ASU's Chase Pendley trying to steal second base, helping Robles (1-0) face the minimum in the opening inning. It was only the second time in the series and the first time since the second inning of game one that the Rams were limited to three batters in an inning.

A called strike three ended the top of the second inning as Robles allowed just one baserunner in each of the first two innings. After UTPB only held ASU scoreless in two innings in each of the first two games of the series, Robles matched that within his first two innings in the series finale.

Robles ran into some trouble with back-to-back walks to start off the third inning, but a sneaky pickoff by Robles erased Gamaliel Jones at second base, and then the second caught stealing thrown by Lewis nailed Hunter Holt at second base. Robles ultimately walked three batters in the inning, and after the third double in two games by Austin Beck put two runners into scoring position with two outs, Robles got Pendley to groundout to shortstop to complete his third straight scoreless inning.

Robles kept it going with a pair of strikeouts to bookend a 1-2-3 fourth inning, which was followed by two more groundouts to shortstop to bookend the fifth inning, giving Robles the longest starting-pitching performance for UTPB during opening weekend.

With the UTPB offense needing to come though and give Robles a lead to work with, freshman Cole Potestio took advantage of his starting opportunity and delivered a one-out single down the right field line. Potestio then stole second base and moved to third on a single to right field by Lewis.

With the bases loaded and just one out, Jefcoats was not rattled by an 0-2 count and smacked a two-RBI single to center field to score both Potestio and pinch runner Joshua Estrada. That gave the Falcons their first lead of the series and ended the afternoon for ASU's starting pitcher, Chance Douglas (0-1).

UTPB brought seven batters to the plate in its half of the fifth inning and finished with two runs on three hits. After Jefcoats' clutch hit, the UTPB pitching staff and defense took care of the rest.

With Robles pitching with a lead into the sixth inning, Alden Quintanilla needed all of the foul ground available to make the catch in foul territory behind first base for out number one, and then Gael Bernal made an incredible scoop on a short hop at shortstop for out number two. However, after a two-out single, a hit by pitch and a walk to load the bases, Robles was unable to get through the inning. Robles gave way to 6-foot-5 freshman Zeke Alexander, who proved the moment was not too big after battling to a full count and then getting a groundout to Carlos Chavez at third base to end the inning.

UTPB missed out on an opportunity to add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Bernal smacked a one-out double to left center field. Bernal attempted to score on a passed ball that got away from the Rams' catcher, Blake Wilhoite, but Wilhoite was able to jump on the ball and toss it back to the pitcher, Jude Stephens, who just tagged out Bernal to end the inning.

Alexander returned to the mound and pitched a scoreless top of the seventh inning, but needed a great catch from center fielder Demetrius Deramus running in towards the left-center field gap to record the third out, strand two runners on base and help keep the Rams off the scoreboard.

Alexander got a pair of strikeouts for the first two outs in the top of the eighth inning, and then Hudson Mitchell came up clutch with UTPB's third caught stealing of the game for the third out.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Rams got a leadoff single to center field, but Alexander got the first two outs of the inning with back-to-back flyouts to Deramus in center field.

Needing just one more out, a hit by pitch by Alexander put two runners on with two outs and brought up Austin Beck. Head Coach Justin Phillips made the decision to go to newcomer Alex Thrasher to try and get the final out in his first appearance as a Falcon. After a first-pitch strike, Thrasher got Beck to ground it to Bernal at shortstop, who tossed it over to Marcos Castro at second base for the force out to end the game.

Robles picked up his second-career win after throwing the second-longest outing of his career. Alexander allowed just one hit in his three innings before Thrasher earned the save.

ASU put runners in scoring position in five different innings, including its best opportunity in the sixth when the Rams loaded the bases but were unable to push a run across. As a team, the Rams drew eight walks, but managed just four hits and stranded 11 runners on base.

After recording two hits in each of the first two games of the season, Chavez kept up his torrid pace and started the game 2-for-2 after recording a one-out single down the left field line in the first inning and a two-out single to left field in the third inning.

It was the first time the Rams had been shut out since May 10, 2024, when ASU was eliminated from the Lone Star Conference Baseball Tournament.


Coach's Quote:

• UTPB Head Baseball Coach Justin Phillips said, "Our pitching staff got ahead in the count and finished the at bats today, our defense played well and made the routine plays we needed to, and we finally got a timely hit offensively. It was a big win against a perennial powerhouse, but we have to keep building in the right direction one day and one play at a time. We raised the standard of play today, and we now have to understand what the new expectations are."

 
Opening Series Combined Statistical Leaders:

• Carlos Chavez hit .500 (6-12) and led the team in hits.
• Demetrius Deramus hit .429 (3-7) and was 2-for-2 on stolen bases.
• Gael Bernal hit .400 (4-10) and played error-free baseball in the middle infield while leading the team with 17 chances defensively.
• Daylon Jefcoats hit a home run during his collegiate debut, had the game-winning hit on Sunday, and led the team in RBI's (5) and runs scored (2) during opening weekend.
• Damian Robles (5.2 innings, 3 hits), Zeke Alexander (3.0 innings, 1 hit) and Alex Thrasher (0.1 innings) combined to limit the No. 12 team in the country to four hits on Sunday.

 
Next Up: The Falcons will hit the road for the first time this season to face Texas A&M International University (Feb. 6-8) in another three-game series.