WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The #21 Winston-Salem State Rams baseball team split a double header with #18 Millersville University on Saturday, winning the first game 4-2, before dropping the nightcap 4-3.

Game #1

Winston-Salem State University jumped on the board early, as Brandon Fowler would lead off the bottom of the first inning by reaching on an error, and was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Ivan Acuna. Connor Bodenhamer would come up with the big hit, a double down the left field line, scoring Fowler. Two batters later, Nathan Steger would single to center field scoring Bodenhamer, giving WSSU the early 2-0 lead.

The Rams added to their lead in the sixth inning, when Nathan Steger hit WSSU's first home run of the year. Phillip Page singled to left field, and advanced to second on a single to centerfield from the bat of Orlando Cannon. After a Millersville pitching change, Randy Norris would walk, loading the bases.

Brandon Fowler would be hit by a pitch, scoring Phillip Page, to give WSSU a commanding 4-0 lead heading down the stretch.

Millersville finally broke through in the seventh inning, when Tyler Orris doubled in Ben Snyder and Ted Williams, who both drew free passes. McLemore quickly settled and escaped with the inning without further damage, stranding Orris on third base.

McLemore would sit the Marauders down in order in the eighth inning and Jordan Cummings would pick up his first save, slamming the door in the ninth for the Rams first win of the season.

The WSSU pitching and hitting attack was led by Nathan Steger, who not only picked up the win on the mound, but also finished 2 for 3 with two runs batted in, a run scored and a home run at the plate. Phillip Page went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Connor Bodenhamer went 1 for 3 with a double, RBI and a run scored, and Brandon Fowler went 1 for 4 with a run batted in and a run scored. Landon Steiner (1 for 3) and Orlando Cannon (1 for 4) each picked up a hit for the Rams.

Devin McLemore pitched 1.2 innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two, and Jordan Cummings picked up his first save of the season pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Game #2

WSSU was able to get strike first, as Ivan Acuna scored on a single to right field from Nathan Steger, giving the Rams a 1-0 lead.

Millersville would answer in the top of the fourth, with two runs of their own to take their first lead of the day, 2-1

The Marauders would add another in fifth inning, when Chas McCormick scored on a WSSU wild pitch, pushing their lead to 3-1 heading into the late innings.

Winston-Salem State would tie the game in the bottom half of the fifth inning, when Phillip Page singled to centerfield, scoring Ivan Acuna. Corey Shelton would pick up a run batted in on a sacrifice fly to right field that would score Nathan Steger, knotting the game at 3-3.

Millersville would score the go-ahead run in the sixth inning on another Winston-Salem State wild pitch, to give the Marauders a 4-3 advantage.

The Rams would not be able to threaten in their final two at-bats, and would drop the nightcap, 4-3.

Nathan Steger went 2 for 4 with a run batted in and a run scored, and Randy Norris went 2 for 3 in the game. Phillip Page finished 2 for 4 with a run batted in, and Brandon Fowler and Ivan Acuna also picked up a hit. Corey Shelton picked up a RBI on a sacrifice fly.

The WSSU Rams will enter tomorrow series finale with a 1-2 record, and Millersville will enter at 2-1. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00pm, at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem.