MARS HILL, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (26-12) played some clutch defense late to claim a 6-5 road win over the Mars Hill Lions (16-24), Saturday afternoon. After taking an early lead, the Rams held off a furious comeback effort from the Lions to remain undefeated on the road.

The Rams took the win behind some great performances both in the field and at the plate. As a team, the Rams totaled nine hits in the game while holding the Lions to just eight hits. Sophomore first base Luke Spiva led the way for the Rams, going three-for-three at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Senior shortstop Nick Williams was two-for-five at the plate with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.

It was WSSU who struck first. Williams did the honors when he hit an RBI double in the first inning to score freshman second base Tyler Daniels. The Rams added two more runs in the sixth inning when Williams hit a two-run home run to give the team a 3-0 lead. Williams added a seventh-inning solo home run that was followed by an RBI single from Spiva. That left the Rams with a 6-0 lead in the eighth inning. However, the Rams found themselves holding off a late rally by the Lions as the team allowed five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but redshirt-freshman pitcher Jalen Scott was able to come in a shut the door to give the Rams the 6-5 win.

Parks (8-1) got the pitching win. He started the game and threw six innings for the Rams. He held the Lions scoreless on just two hits with eight strikeouts. Scott picked up the save (1). He came in the ninth inning and held off the tying run for the Lions.

With the win, the Rams improve to 26-12. The Rams will return to action, tomorrow when the team returns to Mars Hill, N.C. to take on the Lions in a doubleheader. 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.