WSSU Rams Score Four Ninth-Inning Runs for Dramatic 5-4 Season Opening Baseball Win Over Millersville:Randy Norris(Dudley HS) leads the charge

Rams Score Four Ninth-Inning Runs for Dramatic 5-4 Season Opening Win Over Millersville
WINSTON-SALEM STATE 5, MILLERSVILLE 4

Final	                        1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
MILLERSVILLE (0-1)	        2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	4	8	2
WINSTON-SALEM STATE (1-0)	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	5	7	3

BATTING
MILLERSVILLE
2B: Ben Snyder
3B: Dominic Hardaway
HR: none
WINSTON-SALEM STATE
2B: none
3B: none
HR: none

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (1-0) opened the 2018 season in dramatic fashion when the team scored four ninth-inning runs to take a 5-4 win over the Millersville Marauders (0-1), Friday afternoon. After taking a 4-1 deficit into the ninth inning, the Rams rattled off four runs to claim the season opening victory.

The Rams got into a groove late to claim the win. As a team, the Rams totaled seven hits including three in the final two innings of the game. The team’s seven hits were scattered among the players with no player recording more than one hit. However, the team benefitted from 10 walks, including two in the dramatic ninth inning. Center fielder Randy Norris(Dudley High School) led the way for the Rams with a one-for-three batting effort with a run scored and two walks.

The Rams opened the game on a high note with a solid first inning. After allowing a pair of runs to the Marauders in the first inning, the Rams answered with junior infielder Rashad Stewart hit an RBI sacrifice fly to get on the scoreboard, 2-1. The Rams allowed a pair of seventh inning runs to the Marauders to fall behind 4-1. The effort set the stage for the thrilling ninth inning.

The Rams took advantage of some key Millersville miscues to claim the win. The team struck early when a Marauder walk allowed the Rams’ first score of the inning. Sophomore designated hitter Keegan Mahaffey hit an RBI single to score Stewart and pulled the Rams to within a run of the Marauders, 4-3. Junior infielder Nania drew another key bases-loaded walk to drive in senior outfielder John Garcia and tied the game, 4-4. WSSU Randall Ortiz hit the walk off single through the left side to score Garcia and sealed the win.

WSSU junior pitcher Kyle Taylor took the pitching victory, going 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and no runs allowed. WSSU Jalen Scott got the start and went 5.1 innings with five strikeouts on four hits and two earned runs allowed.

The Rams and the Marauders will return to action tomorrow to complete the weekend series with a doubleheader. With the win, the Rams improve to 1-0 on the season.

For more information on Rams baseball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.