DAHLONEGA, GA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (27-16) got back to their winning ways, Saturday when the Rams took a 7-1 road win over the North Georgia Nighthawks (26-16). The Rams took the win behind a great defensive performance, including a tremendous pitching effort from redshirt-freshman pitcher Jalen Scott.

The Rams took the win behind some great efforts at the plate and in the field. As a team, the Rams finished the day with 12 hits, leading to seven runs in the win while holding the Nighthawks to just three hits. Offensively, sophomore Cole Parks led the way for the Rams, going two-for-four at the plate with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. Junior centerfielder Randy Norris hit his second home run in two days as well, going two-for-four at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

The Rams led the game from the very beginning. The team first struck in the first inning when senior designated hitter Emilio Abreu hit an RBI single to score senior right fielder Brandon Ford. The Rams added a fifth inning run when Norris hit a solo home run to push the Rams' lead to two runs, 2-0. The Rams allowed the sole Nighthawks run in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI groundout to cut the WSSU lead down to one run, 2-1. However, the Rams answered in the seventh inning when junior third base Nick Williams hit an RBI single to score Parks. The Rams added a pair of eighth inning runs when freshman Luke Spiva hit an RBI single to score Abreu. The hit was followed by a Parks two-run homer. Ford rounded out the Rams' scoring in the ninth inning when Ford hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Williams and capped the Rams' 7-1 victory.

While the Rams played some great offense, it was the team's defensive effort that stole the show. Scott (3-4) got the pitching victory, going all nine innings with one run allowed (one earned) on just three hits with eight strikeouts.

With the win, the Rams improve to 27-16. The Rams and the Nighthawks will complete the weekend series tomorrow in a 1:00 p.m. game. For more information on Rams baseball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.