READING, PA – Winston-Salem State could not overcome four defensive errors and 11 men stranded on base, as they would fall 4-3 to the Shepherd University Rams in the opening game of the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional at Owls Field in Reading, PA.

Shepherd tallied the game's first run in the second inning, taking advantage of a WSSU defensive error, as they scored one run on two hits to take the early 1-0 lead.

Winston-Salem State threatened Shepherd in the second and fourth innings, loading the bases each time, but could not come away with any runs.

WSSU would finally break through in the fifth inning, as Leland Clemmons led off with a walk and was moved over by a sacrifice bunt from Conner Andrus. Ray Crawford would single to left field advancing Clemmons to third. Levi Grassley would bring home Clemmons on a sac fly to right field, followed by a line drive single to center field from Rafael Gonzalez, scoring Crawford to give WSSU a 2-1 lead.

But the defensive errors would surface once again for Winston-Salem State in the sixth inning, allowing Shepherd to score twice on three hits to jump back out in front. Shepherd added another run in the seventh to go up 4-2 heading into the late innings.

Winston-Salem State would pull closer in the top of the eighth inning, as a Leland Clemmons groundout to shortstop scored Aaron Hatch to cut the Shepherd Rams' lead to 4-3.

WSSU could get no closer in ninth, as the WSSU Rams would fall 4-3 to drop into the loser's bracket.

Rafael Gonzalez led the WSSU Rams at the plate, going three for four with a run batted in, while Alex Grubb finished two for three. Aaron Hatch went one for two with a run scored and Levi Grassley went one for four with a run batted in. Ray Crawford was one for five with a run scored, while Leland Clemmons drove in a run and scored a run in four at-bats.

Jordan Carlton (6-4) picked up the loss for the WSSU Rams on the mound, as he pitched well but was let down defensively by four WSSU errors. Carlton pitched 5.1 innings, allowing seven hits, three runs (none earned) while striking out two and also issued no walks. Eric Corlett came out of the pen in relief, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing one run and three hits.

Winston-Salem State will now face the host and #6 seed, Kutztown University at 12:00 pm Friday, depending on the weather, as heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for the area.