WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams hit six home runs on the day, as they swept the Trojans of Virginia State, 17-7 and 8-1, at Finch Field in Thomasville, NC.

With the wins, Winston-Salem State improves to 18-12 on the season, and 8-0 in the CIAA. Virginia State falls to 12-16 on the season, and 1-6 in the CIAA.

In game one, Virginia State jumped on the board first, in the first inning, on a solo home run off the bat of Sisqo Scott.

The WSSU Rams exploded for six runs in the second inning to take the lead.

Randy Norris doubled, scoring Michael McNamara and Willie McCrae, and then Brandon ford doubled scoring Norris. Later in the inning, Ivan Acuna hit a three run home run scoring Ford and Emilio Abreu along with himself.

After the Trojans scored in the third, the Rams broke the game wide open with nine runs on six hits and two VSU errors.

Michael McNamara singled in the bottom of the third, allowing Randal Ortiz to score. Randy Norris singled scoring Matt Mauldin and Brandon Ford walked allowing McNamara to score. Emilio Abreu doubled, scoring Norris, and Ivan Acuna reached on an error by the third baseman, allowing Ford to score. Landon Steiner reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Abreu to score, and finally Randal Ortiz hit a three run home run to left field.

VSU got two runs back in the fifth on Sisqo Scott's second home run of the game.

WSSU would get that run back in the bottom of the fifth when Landon Steiner scored on a wild pitch.

The Rams Brandon Ford hit a home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth.

Virginia State got two runs in the top of the seventh to make the final score, 17-7.

Randy Norris went four for four with two runs scored and three runs batted in, and Brandon Ford went two for three with three runs scored and three runs batted in, while Ivan Acuna finished one for five with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Randal Ortiz also had a hot day, going one for two with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Emilio Abreu went one for four with two runs scored and a run batted in, and Michael McNamara finished 1 for three with two runs scored and a run batted in. Willie McRae went one for four with a run scored, in the win.

WSSU got home runs from Brandon Ford, Ivan Acuna and Randal Ortiz.

Kanoa Hironaka picked up the win for the Rams, throwing a complete game, allowing nine hits and seven runs. He also walked five and struck out five.

Winston-Salem State got going early in game two, scoring six runs in the first three innings to take a commanding lead.

In the first, Ivan Acuna reached on an error by the pitcher, allowing Emilio Abreu to score.

In the second, Michael McNamara doubled scoring john Garcia who doubled before McNamara. Randy Norris hit into a fielder's choice, allowing McNamara to score, and Brandon Ford doubled to score Willie McRae.

The Rams got two in the third on back to back home runs from Landon Steiner and Randal Ortiz.

Virginia State plated a run in the top of the fourth, on a single and run scored by David Markins.

The final runs of the game came in the bottom of the sixth, after a Willie McRae single, Randy Norris blasted a home run to left center, to give the Rams an 8-1 advantage heading into the final at-bat for the Trojans.

Randy Norris went one for four with a run scored and three runs batted in, while Brandon Ford went one for four with a run batted in. Landon Steiner went one for four with a run scored and a run batted in and Randal Ortiz finished one for three with a run scored and a run batted in.

Michael McNamara went one for two with a run batted in and a run scored. Emilio Abreu finished two for four and Willie McRae went two for three with two runs scored.

Seth Reeves got the win for hte Rams, going 5.0 innings, allowing one run, one walk and four strikeouts. Trevor Poole pitched an inning, as did Marcus McKoy, who finished with a strikeout.