WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (17-15, 6-1 CIAA) dominated out on both sides of the ball, Wednesday, when the team took an 8-0 five-inning run over the Livingstone Blue Bears (5-12, 1-8 CIAA). The win broke up a two-game skid for the Rams and gave the team its second shutout victory of the season.

As a team, the Rams played well, finishing the game with eight runs scored on five hits in the game. WSSU sophomore Tiarra Delaney led the way for the Rams with a two-for-three performance at the plate with three runs scored, a triple, and two RBI. Sophomore designated player Samantha Gibbs added a two-for-two batting performance with two runs scored. The Rams first struck in the second inning when junior short stop Idaysha Quinones reached on an error and allowed Delaney to score and put the Rams on top, 1-0. The Rams broke things open in the third inning when the team scored four runs. Delaney did the damage with a two-RBI triple that scored Gibbs and junior third base Rebecca Demko. Delaney would score for the second time when she scored on a Livingstone passed ball. Freshman first base Mesha Jones added the Rams' fifth run of the game when freshman outfielder Jasmine Holloman hit an RBI single that put the Rams on top, 5-0 heading into the fourth inning. A Livingstone error in right field allowed the Rams to score three runs, including Delaney's third run of the day, as well as scoring Gibbs and junior pitcher Mercedes Hargett to wrap up the 8-0 victory.

Hargett (11-9) took the pitching victory when she went all five innings with no runs allowed and just one hit allowed. She also recorded 10 strikeouts with just one walk in five innings.

The Rams and the Blue Bears would go on to complete the doubleheader later in the day. For more information on Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on towww.WSSURams.com.