PETERSBURG, VA – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (25-11) opened the 2014 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament with a bang when the team took an impressive 15-2 win over the Elizabeth City State Lady Vikings (8-22) at the Petersburg Sports Complex. The Lady Rams took advantage of six Lady Vikings fielding errors to score seven unearned runs to take the victory.

After allowing a pair of first inning runs to the Lady Vikings, the Lady Rams broke things open in the third inning when the team scored 12 runs on five ECSU fielding errors. The team followed the effort with three fourth inning scores and some staunch defense to close out the victory.

WSSU junior second base Monet Daly led the way for the Lady Rams with a two-for-three effort at the plate with three runs scored, and an RBI. Junior outfielder Kiah Ruffin added a two-for-four effort with two runs scored, a pair of RBI, and a double. Freshman first base Allison Woodbury had a breakout performance with a three-for-three batting performance with three runs scored, an RBI, and a double.

WSSU freshman Mercedes Hargett (11-6) took the pitching win. She came in during the first inning and went 4.1 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 25-11 overall and advance in the winner's bracket at the tournament. The team will go on to play the Chowan Hawks in a 5:00 p.m. game. For more information on Lady Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.