PRINCETON, W V – Winston-Salem State continued to use timely hitting and strong pitching efforts, as the Rams took two games from Bluefield State, 11-3 and 6-1, to complete a weekend sweep of four games, as they finished the series in Princeton, WV.
The WSSU Rams have now won 19 of their last 20 games, and improved to 22-12, while Bluefield State falls to 10-20.
In game one, WSSU got it started early, with singles from Brandon Ford and Emilio Abreu. Landon Steiner singled down the left field line scoring Ford. Randal Ortiz Doubled scoring Abreu and Steiner. And Randal Ortiz made his way around the diamond to eventually score, to give the Rams a 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, Randy Norris was hit by a pitch and then stole second. Brandon Ford walked and the Rams pulled of the double steal to put men on second and third. Ivan Acuna hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Norris.
The Rams would add three more run in the fourth inning, after Randy Norris doubled to left center and Brandon Ford doubled, allowing Norris to score. Another double from Ivan Acuna scored Ford. Landon Steiner hit a sac fly to right, scoring Acuna.
Bluefield State finally got on the board in the fourth with a run on two hits and one WSSU error.
Winston-Salem State would score their final three run of the game on four hits in the fifth inning. Michael McNamara doubled to left center and Matt Mauldin singled to score McNamara. Brandon Ford tripled, scoring Mauldin and Ivan Acuna doubled to score Ford, to give the Rams an 11-1 lead.
The Big Blues added a run in the six and seventh innings to tally the finally score of the Rams win, 11-3.
Ivan Acuna went two for four with a run scored and three runs batted in, and Brandon Ford went three for four with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Landon Steiner went one for two with a run scored and two runs batted in, and Randal Ortiz went one for four with a run scored and two runs batted in. Matt Mauldin went one for four with a run batted in and a run scored. Randy Norris finished two for four with two runs scored and Emilio Abreu went one for four with a run scored.
Will Beeson pitched five strong innings for the win, allowing seven hits and one run, while walking three and striking out three. Landon Biggs pitched the final two innings out of the bullpen.
In game two, the Rams jumped on Bluefield State in the first, scoring four run on four hits. Randy Norris reached on a single and stole second. Ivan Acuna singled, scoring Norris. Landon Steiner doubled, allowing Acuna to score. Randal Ortiz hit a sac fly, scoring Emilio Abreu. Michael McNamara singled scoring Steiner.
WSSU got their final two runs in the third, when Randal Ortiz doubled, then took third on a passed ball. Michael McNamara hit a two run home run to left.
Bluefield State finally managed a run in the sixth, to make the final 6-1.
Michael McNamara led the Rams, going two for three with a run scored and three runs batted in, including a home run. Landon Steiner went two for four with a run batted in and a run scored. Ivan Acuna scored a run and batted in one run, and Randal Ortiz went one for three with a run scored and a run batted in. Randy Norris went two for four with a run scored, and Matt Mauldin and Trevor Poole each had one hit. Landon Steiner had two doubles and Randal Ortiz also had a double.
Jordan Carlton got the win for the Rams, throwing 4.90 innings, with one walk and two strikeouts. Corbin Easter and Marcus McKoy finished the game out of the bullpen.
