RALEIGH, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (13-12, 2-0 CIAA) broke out their offense to take an 8-2 win over the Virginia State Lady Trojans (4-11, 1-1 CIAA), Friday afternoon at the 2016 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round Up. The Rams took the win behind a great offensive effort with eight runs scored while holding Virginia State to just two runs.

As a team, the Rams had a strong day at the plate with 10 total hits in the game. WSSU junior pitcher Chyna Riley led the way for the Rams with a two-for-three performance at the plate with two runs scored. Freshman third base Rebecca Demko added a two-for-four effort with a double and a run scored.  However, freshman left fielder Destiny Snipes highlighted the day with a grand slam home run to rake in four RBI.

In the early going, Virginia State got on the scoreboard first, but the Rams soon jumped ahead and never looked back. After the Lady Trojans scored a second inning run, the Rams answered with six fourth inning runs. Sophomore designated player Samantha Gibbs hit a two-RBI single to score Demko and sophomore outfielder Katherine Zimmer. From there, Snipes took over when she hit a grand slam home run to put the Rams on top, 6-1 heading into the fifth inning. The Rams allowed just one more Virginia State run in the fifth inning before junior outfielder Idaysha Quinones hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning to score sophomore outfielder Anna Marino to keep the Rams on top, 7-2. WSSU would cap their scoring in the sixth inning when freshman Tianna Clark hit an RBI single to score Riley and sealed the Rams' 8-2 victory.

WSSU junior Chyna Riley took the pitching victory with the start and going five innings with two runs allowed (one earned) on six hits. She finished the day with one strikeout. Fellow junior Mercedes Hargett came in for three innings of relief and allowed no runs on two hits. She also finished with two strikeouts and no walks.

With the win, the Rams improve to 13-12 and remain a perfect 2-0 in CIAA play. The Rams will close out the day when they face the Lincoln (Pa.) Lady Lions in a nightcap game. For more information on Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.