CARY, NC - Winston-Salem State got a strong pitching performance from Kanao Hironaka, and got some timely hits to score runs, as the Rams took game one, 6-2 over the St. Augustine's Falcons at USA Baseball Training Complex.

With the win, WSSU improves to 28-14 overall and 11-0 in the CIAA, while St. Augustine's falls to 18-29 overall and 5-7 in the CIAA.

Randal Ortriz finished one for three with three runs batted in and Emilio Abreu went one for three with two runs batted in. Ivan Acuna went one for three with two runs scored and Landon Steiner went one for four. Brandon Ford also picked up a run batted in, while Randy Norris and Michael McNamara each scored a run, and John Garcia scored two runs.

The game remained scoreless unless the third inning, whne the Rams struck first. Michael McNamara reached after being hit by a pitch and would be brought home on a Brandon Ford sacrifice. Emilio Abreu hit a two run single, scoring Acuna and Randy Norris. Randal Ortiz would single to left, scoring John Garcia to give tghe Rams a 4-0 lead.

St. Augustine's answered with two runs in the bottom of the third, off of two hits, to cut the WSSU lead to 4-2.

WSSU finished the games scoring in the seventh, when Randal Ortiz reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing John Garcia and Ivan Acuna to score to give the Rams a 6-2 win.

Kanoa Hironaka picked up his eighth win of the season, throwing a complete game, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters.