Feb. 20, 2011

Box Score

HIGH POINT, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (6-6, 3-2 CIAA) took a clutch 4-3 win over the Lincoln (Pa.) Lions (0-1, 0-1 CIAA), Sunday afternoon at Ed Price Field in High Point, N.C. The Rams took the win behind a stellar pitching performance by freshman pitcher John Markley who allowed just four hits and recorded nine strikeouts to lead the Rams to the win.

"Markley was strong today and he's been consistent all year," WSSU head baseball coach Kevin Ritsche said following the win. "Our bats are not doing well right now, but we did what he needed to do."

Solid defense was the order of the day for both teams as the Rams and Lions combined for just eight hits in the game. WSSU junior outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald led the way for the Rams with a one-for-two effort at the plate with two RBI and a double. Freshman outfielder Andrew Smith added a one-for-two effort from the plate with walk and a sacrifice hit.

Markley (2-0) went all seven innings and finished the game with nine strikeouts and allowed just one earned run. He also recorded just five walks.

The Rams got things going with three third-inning runs, scoring on a Lincoln wild pitch and a pair of RBI sacrifice flies. Though Lincoln would answer with a pair of fourth-inning runs, the Rams added an insurance run in the fourth inning when Fitzgerald drove in designated hitter Forrest Edwards on an RBI double. The Lions would make things a bit closer with a fifth-inning run, but the Rams' defense shut the door to pick up the close win.

The two teams would meet up to close the double-header later in the day. 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.