PEMBROKE, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (24-8) played a solid overall game, but the team allowed a big sixth inning that proved costly in an 11-3 road loss to the UNC Pembroke Braves. The Rams took the loss in spite of a solid hitting performance and some spots of great defense. 

As a team, the Rams had a typically impressive performance at the plate, but the team struggled late in the tough loss. WSSU totaled eight hits in the game with senior third base Kortney Thomas leading the way. She went two-for-four at the plate with a run scored. Junior designated player Erica Davis went two-for-four as well while sophomore outfielder Nyla Howard added a two-for-three effort of her own. A double from freshman Alleigh Himes was the only WSSU extra-base hit of the game.

For the second straight game, the Rams allowed the Braves to get out to a strong start. The team allowed two first inning runs and four third inning runs before Himes' RBI double drove in freshman pinch runner Destiny Middleton in the sixth inning. Freshman first base Aniyah Jones added an RBI of her own when she  hit a single that scored Thomas. A UNCP fielding error also allowed Himes to score. With the Rams trailing 6-3, the team allowed five sixth inning runs to the Braves to take the 11-3, six-inning loss.

WSSU sophomore Tia Robinson (11-3) took the pitching loss. She started the game and went 5.1 innings. She allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 10 hits with two stikeouts.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 24-8. The team will return to action, Friday when they host the Fayetteville State Broncos in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division doubleheader. The game is also the Rams' StrikeOut Cancer game. For more information on Rams softball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.