SALEM, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (29-10) got their post-season started in a big way when the team took a 9-0 win over the Elizabeth City State Vikings (12-17), Monday afternoon. The Rams opened the 2019 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Softball Championship Tournament with their third straight 9-0 win.

The Rams took the win behind some terrific play both at the plate and in the field. As a team, the Rams totaled 11 hits in the game while holding the Vikings to just five. Freshman first base Aniyah Jones led the way for the Rams with a three-for-three performance with a single, a double, and a triple, just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. She also added four RBI in the game as well. Junior designated hitter Erica Davis added a three-for-three batting effort of her own.

The beginning of the game was a defensive battle, but the Rams soon broke out late to pull away with the win. WSSU first struck in the third inning when Jones hit a two-RBI single that was followed by a score on an ECSU throwing error. The Rams added six runs in the fourth inning. Freshman Jasmine McCain got things started with a score on an ECSU wild pitch. Sophomore pitcher Tia Robinson added an RBI sacrifice groundout as well. Davis added an RBI single that was followed by a two-RBI double from Jones and an RBI sacrifice fly from freshman Alleigh Himes that sealed the 9-0 win.

Robinson (13-3) took the pitching win. She started the game and went all five innings. She finished the game with no runs allowed with six strikeouts.

With the win, the Rams stay in the winner's bracket of the tournament. The team will move on to take on the Chowan Lady Hawks later in the day. 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.