WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State's Rafael Gonzalez and head coach, Kevin Ritsche, have been tabbed as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Baseball Defensive Player and Coach of the Week. 

Rafael Gonzalez (INF, Senior, R/R, 5-10, 196, Caracas, VZ/Surry CC) had a solid week defensively, with five putouts and eight assists with no errors in the Rams 2-0 week last week. This is his first Defensive Player of the Week honor.

Kevin Ritsche, WSSU head baseball coach, was also named the CIAA Coach of the Week for leading his team to the 2-0 week with wins over Wingate and St. Augustine's.

The WSSU Rams currently have a record of 25-12 overall and 12-4 in the CIAA. The Rams are currently in first place in the conference and have risen to #6 in this week's Atlantic Region Rankings.

NCBWA DIVISION II ATLANTIC REGION POLL - March 31, 2014

1.  Shippensburg, Pa. [14 first-place votes] - (16-3) - 140 points - #1 last week 

2.  Millersville, Pa. (16-7) - 123 points - #2 last week 

3.  East Stroudsburg, Pa. (15-6) - 106 points - #3 last week 

4.  Mercyhurst, Pa. (15-5) - 100 points - #4 last week 

5.  Seton Hill, Pa. (16-9) - 78 points - #5 last week 

6.  Winston-Salem State, N.C. (22-11) - 57 points - #7 last week 

7.  Concord, W. Va. (18-10) - 49 points - #6 last week 

8.  Slippery Rock, Pa. (14-8) - 42 points - #T-10 last week 

9.  Shepherd, W. Va. (18-7) - 37 points - #T-10 last week 

10. Kutztown, Pa. (11-6) - 29 points - #T-8 last week

Dropped out: #T-8 West Chester, Pa.

Also receiving votes: West Virginia State (14-8) 3 points; Bloomsburg, Pa. (12-8) 2 points; Urbana, Ohio (9-15) 2 points; West Chester, Pa. (10-6) 2 points.