WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams opened the 2015 baseball season in style with a 12-3 win over the Mars Hill Lions.

Conner Andrus and Taylor Idol had three rbi's each, and Gavin Culler and Des Roberts had two rbi's each, as the WSSU Rams rolled over the Mars Hill Lions, 12-3.

Winston-Salem State jumped on the board first in in the second inning, scoring four runs on three hits with Taylor Idol, Des Roberts and Connor Andrus picking up runs batted in.

Mars Hill would battle back with two runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth, to pull with four at 6-2.

But the Rams kept pounding the Lions pitching, picking up two more runs on two hits in the bottom of the sixth, and added another run in the seventh to extend the Rams lead to 9-3.

Taylor Idol would come through with a two run rbi single to center field, and Connor Andrus would pick up a rbi after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, to give WSSU a 12-3 win.

In the fourth, Des Roberts and Connor Andrus would come through again, as each drove in a run, as the Rams extended their lead to 6-0.

"Although our pitchers gave up too many free bases, they did an excellent job minimizing big innings", said head coach, Kevin Ritsche.  "Our defensive made a couple errors that could have hurt us but also made some big plays to get us out of potential big innings", added Ritsche.

The WSSU Rams were led at the plate by Connor Andrus and Taylor Idol, who each knocked in three runs. Andrus went two for three, and Idol finished the game two for four, with a run scored. Gavin Culler went two for three with two runs scored, while also picking up two rbi's. Des Roberts picked up two rbi's and a run scored in five plate appearances. Colby Keene was a thorn in the Lions side all afternoon, as he went two for three with four runs scored. Nathan Steger went two for four with two runs scored and Dylan Dombrowskas went one for four with two runs scored. Aaron Hatch and Alex Grubb also had a hit each, with Grubb also picking up a rbi.

Eric Corlett (1-0) picked up the win for the Rams in relief, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three.  Jordan Carlton was brilliant as the starter, going 4.0 no hit innings, while striking out three. Carlton also surrendered five walks. Sam burton pitched an inning and allowed one hit, while Austin Cole went just 0.1 innings allowing two runs and giving up three walks.