WINGATE, NC – Winston-Salem State University battled all game, but came up short to the Wingate Bulldogs, 9-8 in 11 innings, Tuesday at Wingate University.

With the loss, WSSU falls to 16-17, and Wingate improves to 22-16 overall.

WSSU was able to get on the scoreboard first, when Michael McNamara came through with a two out single through the right side, scoring Nathan Steger, to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.

Wingate answered in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs, on one hit, coupled with a WSSU error, to take the lead 2-1.

Winston-Salem State would come alive in the second, and looked to some distance between themselves and the competition. The Rams would plate four runs, with the help of three Wingate errors and two timely hits. Emilio Abreu got the first big hit, a two out single through the left side that scored Phillip Page and Willie McRae. Ivan Acuna got the next big hit for WSSU, a single to right field that would score Emilio Abreu and Nathan Steger, jumping out to a 5-2 lead.

In the fourth, the bulldogs started to chip away into the Rams lead, scoring twice, to cut the WSSU lead to 5-4.

The Rams were able to answer, starting with a double to rice center, off the bat of Nathan Steger. Steger would be brought home on a Phillip Page double to left field, to give the Rams a 6-4 advantage.

The Bulldogs would explode in the fifth, scoring four runs on three hits with one WSSU error, to jump back out in front, 8-6.

Coming to the final third of the game, the Rams needed to score runs in a hurry to get back into the contest. The Rams added a run in the seventh, when Phillip Page singled, scoring Ivan Acuna. They added one more in the eighth, When Jason Baytop would score on a wild pitch, tying the game at 8-8.

The game would remain scoreless unless the bottom of the elevent inning, when the Wingate Bulldogs would come through with a two out walk off single to right center to take the game 9-8.

The Rams were led offensively by Phillip Page, who finished 3 for 5 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Emilio Abreu went 2 for 6 with two runs batted in and a run scored, and Ivan Acuna went 1 for 5 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Michael McNamara went 1 for 5 with a run batted in, and Jason Baytop finished 1 for 6 with a run scored. Nathan Steger went 1 for 4 with three runs scored, and Randy Norris went 1 for 5. Willie McRae scored one run.

Devin McLemore took the loss for WSSU, pitching the final 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, one run and one walk to go with one strikeout. Nathan Steger started for the Rams, going 5.0 innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on five hits, with four walks and four strikeouts. Corbin Easter pitched an inning, with one hits and two strikeouts, and Jordan Cummings went 1.2 innings, allowing one hits, with one walk and four strikeouts.

WSSU will travel to Bluefield, WV on Saturday to take on the Blues of Bluefield State in a four game weekend series.