CARY, NC – Winston-Salem State once again got solid pitching performances and the hitting stayed hot, as the Rams swept a doubleheader from the St. Augustine's Falcons, 7-0 and 3-1, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
With the wins, WSSU closes out the regular season with a 31-14 overall record and 14-2 in the CIAA, while St. Augustine's fall to 18-31 overall and 5-10 in the CIAA. The wins also wrap up the CIAA Regular Season Crown in which the Rams have now won seven straight, and will take the #1 seed into next week's CIAA Championship, at Virginia State.
The Rams scored first when John Garcia hit a single to left field, allowing Randy Norris to score to give WSSU the early 1-0 lead.
WSSU broke it wide open in the sixth inning, when Brandon Ford got it going with a single up the middle, scoring Matt Mauldin and Michael McNamara. Ivan Acuna singled to center, scoring Randy Norris and Ford. John Garcia doubled to left field, scoring Acuna, and Emilio Abreu singled through the middle, scoring Garcia to give the Rams the 7-0 advantage.
John Garcia led the Rams going two for three with two run batted in and one run scored. Brandon Ford went one for four with two runs batted in and one run scored. Ivan Acuna went one for four with a run scored and one run batted in, and Emilio Abreu went two for four with a run batted in. Matt Mauldin went one for two with a run scored and Michael McNamara also scored a run.
Seth Reeves got the win for WSSU, pitching a complete game, allowing one hit while striking out four.
In game two, the Rams scored quick, plating a run in the first inning. Brandon Ford would hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Randal Ortiz.
WSSU got their second run in the second inning, when Emilio Abreu grounded out, scoring John Garcia.
Winston-Salem State picked up their final run in the seventh, when Randy Norris doubled, allowing Michael McNamara to score.
Randy Norris went two for four with a run batted in, while Brandon Ford and Emilio Abreu knocked in runs. Ivan Acuna and Landon Steiner each went one for three, and Michael McNamara scored a run.
St. Augustine's finally scored in the bottom of the seventh, to give the final score 3-1.
Kanoa Hironaka pitched a brilliant game, throwing a complete game, allowing six hits and one run while striking out five.
