Feb. 15, 2011
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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (5-4, 2-1 CIAA) gave it their all, but fell just short in a tough 3-2 loss to the Saint Augustine's Falcons (4-3, 1-0 CIAA), Tuesday evening at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. The game was an historic one as the Rams played their first home game in 37 years in front of an excited crowd. The Rams gave a strong effort on both sides of the ball, but could not hold off the Falcons in the heartbreaking loss.
The two teams were evenly matched offensively as the Rams' six hits were just one behind the Falcons' seven total hits. WSSU junior outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald led the way with a two-for-three effort at the plate with an RBI while freshmen infielder Andrew Smith added a one-for-three effort with a run scored.
The Rams got onto the scoreboard early with a first-inning run. After reaching on a lead-off double, junior second baseman Jordan Graham scored on an RBI sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Michael Robbins. Though the Falcons would answer with runs in the third and fourth innings that left the Rams trailing 2-1, WSSU would respond to the challenge with a fourth-inning run of their own to tie the game. Fitzgerald added an RBI single to right field that drove in Smith.
Though the Rams continued to battle, the team could not overcome a pair of sixth-inning triples by the Falcons that drove in the winning run.
WSSU junior pitcher Brice Rivenbark (1-1) took the pitching loss with five and one-third innings on the mound. He allowed seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Fellow freshman John Markley added one and two-thirds innings of play with no hits allowed and a pair of strikeouts.
The Rams will return to the road for their next action when the team heads to Florence, S.C. to take on the Francis Marion Patriots, Saturday. The Rams will return home next Sunday when the team hosts the Lincoln Lions at Ed Price Field in High Point, N.C. 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.
