WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams and Chowan Hawks opened CIAA play this afternoon, and the WSSU Rams came away with a split, winning game one, 8-7, and dropping the nightcap, 4-1, at B&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem.

With the split, WSSU moves to 11-12 on the season, while Chowan moves to 7-13 on the year.

In game one, after falling behind 1-0 early, the WSSU Rams roared back in the second with a four run inning, with Randy Norris, Jason Baytop, Brandon Fowler and Nathan Steger picking up rbi's.

WSSU added another run in the third, when Ivan Acuna led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, pushing the Rams lead to 5-1.

But the Chowan Hawks were a determined team on this day, and bounced back in the fourth inning to get right back into the contest. Chowan answered with four runs, on three hits, and got the help of a Ram error to tie the game at 5-5.

Winston-Salem State had answer in the bottom of the fourth, as Brandon Fowler and Landon Steiner drew walks, and Michael McNamara would bring everyone home with a home run to left field, to give the Rams an 8-5 lead.

The Hawks would not go away, and scored two more runs in the top of the fifth inning, on two hits and another Ram error to trim the WSSU lead to 8-7.

Hayden O'Neal would keep Chowan at bay, and Jordan Cummings would come in and slam the door in the seventh, to give WSSU the 8-7 win in the first game of the twin-bill.

Hayden O'Neal picked up the win for the Rams, going 1.1 innings, with a strikeout. Jordan Cummings picked up his third save of the season, pitching the final perfect inning. Justin Norton started for WSSU, going 4.2 innings, allowing seven runs (5 earned) giving up five hits with four strikeouts and three bases on balls.

Michael McNamara led the WSSU attack going 2 for 4 with three runs batted in and two runs scored, including a home run. Brandon Fowler finished 2 for 2 with one run scored and one run batted in, while Jason Baytop went 1 for 4 with one run batted in and on run scored. Nathan Steger went 1 for 3 with one run batted in, and Ivan Acuna went 1 for 2 with one run batted in, two runs scored and a home run. Randy Norris finished 1 for 3 with one run batted in, and Willie McRae went 1 for 3 with one run scored. Landon Steiner finished with one run scored.

In game two, Landon Steiner got the Rams on the board in the first inning, with a single to left field that scored Jason Baytop, to give WSSU the early 1-0 lead.

Chowan answered with two runs in the third inning, one in the sixth inning after a Ram error and added another in the seventh to pull away for the 4-1 win.

Nathan Steger took the loss for WSSU, going 6.0 innings, allowing three runs (2 earned) on five hits, while walking three and striking out five for the game. Orlando Cannon pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two.

Willie McRae went 2 for 3, and Jason Baytop, Landon Steiner and Ivan Acuna each finished 1 for 3. Baytop also scored one run, and Steiner picked up the Rams only run batted in for the game. Acuna also had a double.

Winston-Salem State and Chowan will play another double header tomorrow, in Asheboro, NC, at McCrary Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm for game one, and approximately 3:30 for game two.