WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Winston-Salem State exploded for four runs in the second inning, behind a big two run home run from Jacob Barber, as the Rams defeated Wheeling Jesuit 5-3 on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem State scored first in the bottom half of the first inning, when Gavin Culler singled. He promptly stole second base, and Ray Crawford doubled bringing Culler home.

Wheeling Jesuit came back in the top of the second, when a throwing error from Leland Clemmons allowed a Cardinal run to score from second base.

But WSSU would bust the game open in the bottom of the second, starting with a Aaron Hatch single to left field. Hatch would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt from Gabian Mundo, followed by a Leland Clemmons walk. Gavin Culler would single to left field, scoring Hatch and advancing Clemmons to second base. Clemmons would reach third on a wild pitch before Ray Crawford would plate Clemmons on a sacrifice fly to right field. Jacob Barber would supply the fireworks with a two run home run to deep left field to give the Rams a 5-1 lead.

The next five innings went by quick, as Wesley Helsabeck continued to shut down the Cardinals, and neither team would be able to score a run or even get any runners in serious scoring position.

But heading into the eighth, and the Rams now into their bullpen, Wheeling Jesuit would make a serious run at WSSU by plating two runs, and having more runners on in scoring position.

The Rams would call on closer, Devin McLemore, who got a groundball out to get out of the inning with no more runs scored, and he would strike out the side in the ninth to give Winston-Salem State the 5-3 win.

WSSU was led in hitting by Gavin Culler and Aaron Hatch who each two for four, with Culler scoring two runs and picking up a rbi, while Hatch also scored a run. Ray Crawford and Jacob Barber each went one for three, with Crawford picking up two rbi's and a double, and Barber hitting a two run home run. Leland Clemmons was one for three with a run scored and Derrick Burnett finished one for four.

Wesley Helsabeck (2-1) had his second consecutive good outing, going six inning allowing three hits and one run. He struck out a season high eight batter while walking just one. Devin McLemore (2) pitched a masterful 1.1 innings in picking up his second save, striking out three Cardinal batters.

Winston-Salem State and Wheeling Jesuit will continue the series with a double header on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 & 4:00 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C.