WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State Rams and Concord Mountain Lions split a double header on Saturday at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem, with Concord taking game one, 5-3, and the WSSU Rams bouncing back in game two, 4-2, with the win.

With the split, WSSU moves to 7-11 overall, while the Concord Mountain Lions move to 3-7 overall on the season.

In game one, WSSU took the early lead, but fell behind big in the second inning and struggled to push across another run, as WSSU fell 5-3.

WSSU scored single runs in the first second and fifth innings, but could not overcome the deficit.

Winston-Salem State out hit the Concord Mountain Lions 13-9 but could not get the big hit with runners on, as the Rams left 12 runners on base in the game.

Justin Norton (1-2) picked up the loss for WSSU, pitching a complete game, allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned), with three strikeouts.

Jason Baytop led the Rams offensively, going 3 for 4 with one run batted in and one run scored, while Ivan Acuna also finished 3 for 4 with a double and one run scored. Nathan Steger went 2 for 4 with a double and one run batted in, and Brandon Fowler went 1 for 3 with one run batted in and a double. Michael McNamara, Landon Steiner and Willie McRae also picked up one hit each, and McRae also scored one run.

In game two, WSSU jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead and then held off the Mountain Lions, as the Rams rebounded for a 4-2 win in the night cap.

Jason Baytop got things started in the bottom of the first inning, when he led off with a double down the left field line, and one batter later stole third base. Michael McNamara single past the shortstop, scoring Baytop to give WSSU an early 1-0 lead. Landon Steiner singled to center field, and all runners advanced when Ivan Acuna walked. With the bases loaded, Phillip Page singled to center field, scoring McNamara and Steiner. Randy Norris would close out the scoring with a single that would score Acuna to give WSSU a 4-0 advantage.

Nathan Steger would be masterful on the hill, not allowing Concord into any kind of scoring positions, and used a mix of pitches to keep the Mountain Lions off balance.

Concord picked up two runs in the seventh inning to keep the Rams fans on the edge of their seat, but Jordan Cummings would come in to slam the door and give WSSU a 4-2 win.

Nathan Steger (4-1) picked up the win for WSSU, going six innings, allowing five hits, three walks and no runs while striking out five on the day. Corbin Easter went 0.1 innings, allowing one hits, two runs and a walk, and Jordan Cummings (2) picked up the save, going the final 0.2 innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout, while not allowing a run.

Brandon Fowler finished 3 for 4, and Randy Norris went 2 for 3 with a run batted in to lead WSSU. Jason Baytop went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored, and Phillip Page went 1 for 3 with two runs batted in. Michael McNamara and Landon Steiner each finished 1 for 3 with a run scored, and McNamara also picked up a rbi. Ivan Acuna also scored a run for the Rams.

The WSSU Rams and concord Mountain Lions will return to the diamond on Sunday, when they will close out the series. First pitch scheduled for 1:00pm at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem.