Rams Fall 6-4 to #25 Armstrong Atlantic State In Season Opener

SAVANNAH, GA - The WSSU Rams, defending CIAA Champions, were not able to close the deal, and fell 6-4 to the #25 Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates today in Savannah, Georgia in the 2012 season opener for both teams.

After a scoreless first two innings, the Rams jumped on the scoreboard fist in the third innings.  WSSU open the inning when Scott Wells reached on an error by the centerfielder, and German Reyes advanced him on a fielder's choice bunt, that Reyes beat out at firstbase.  Michael Robbins singled to left field, scoring Wells, and the next batter, Travis Moore, doubled downthe right field line scoring Reyes and advancing Robbins to third. Paco Martin would pick up the third straight hit, scoring Robbins to give Winston-Salem State a 3-0 lead.

Armstrong Atlantic would answer in the fourth inning when they would explode for six runs, highlighted by two WSSU errors and a three run home run by the Pirates Zach Taylor.

The Rams got a run back in the top of the eighth on a two-out RBI single by Aaron Jones, but Chandler Hall worked a scoreless ninth to preserve the win.

WSSU's Aaron Jones went 3 for 4 with a rbi, while Paco Martin went 2 for 4 with a rb.  Travis Moore and Michael Robbins also had one rbi each. 

Charles Anthony (0-1) took the loss for Winston-Salem State, giving up six hits and six runs - one earned - in four innings of work, walking four and striking out one.

Ethan Bader (1-0) worked eight innings for Armstrong Atlantic, giving up four runs - three earned - and striking out five. Chandler Hall picked up the save, with the one inning of scoreless ball.

The two teams wrap up their season-opening weekend series with an 11:00 a.m. doubleheader on Saturday at Pirate Field.