DAHLONEGA, GA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (27-16) held a late lead, but the team allowed three late runs to the North Georgia Nighthawks (27-16) in an 8-7 road loss, Sunday. The Rams played a solid game, but the team faded late to take the hard-fought loss to the Nighthawks.

The Rams took the loss in spite of playing and evenly matched game in nearly every category. AS a team, the Rams totaled eight hits in the game, outhitting the Nighthawks by a hit. WSSU junior centerfielder Randy Norris led the way for the Rams with a two-for-four batting effort with a run scored. Sophomore catcher Cole Parks hit his second home run of the three-game series. He went one for five with three RBI and a run scored. Freshman short stop Wellington Guzman added a home run as well.

The early portion belonged to the Rams, but the late innings belonged to the home team. WSSU got started with a first inning run when senior designated hitter Emilio Abreu hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Norris to score on a Nighthawk fielding error. After allowing North Georgia to score a pair of second inning runs and a third inning run, the Rams fell behind, 3-1, but soon answered when Guzman hit a fourth inning solo home run and the team took the lead on Cole's fifth inning three-run home run to go ahead, 5-3. The Rams allowed a pair of sixth inning runs to tie the game. However, the Rams had an answer with a pair of seventh inning runs. Freshman Luke Spiva and junior Rashad Stewart both drew bases-loaded walks to leave the Rams on top, 7-5. However, the Rams were held scoreless for the remainder of the game while North Georgia scored an eighth inning run and a pair of ninth inning runs to take the 7-5 loss.

WSSU junior Kyle Taylor (1-2) took the pitching loss. He threw 2.2 innings for the Rams with three runs allowed (three earned) on four hits. He also added four strikeouts with just one walk. Freshman Tyrese Hearst got the start and went 5.2 innings for the Rams. He finished with five runs allowed (three earned) with three strikeouts.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 27-16. The team will return to action, Saturday, when the team hots the Saint Augustine's Falcons in a Saturday doubleheader at Finch Field in Thomasville, N.C. 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.