BASEBALL: WSSU earns CIAA crown in program's first year
WSSU Rams earn CIAA Baseball crown in program's first year
PETERSBURG, Va. (April 23, 2011)
— No. 3 Winston-Salem State worked itself all the way back
from a first-round defeat to win the Central Intercollegiate
Athletic Association (CIAA)Baseball Championship, completing a
remarkable comeback and improbable season for the first-year
program.
The Rams defeated No. 2 Saint Augustine’s College, 7-6 and
3-0, Saturday afternoon at Whaley-Colbert Field on the Virginia
State University campus in the double-elimination tournament. With
the win, Winston-Salem State earns the CIAA’s automatic
qualifier spot to the Atlantic Region Tournament.
John Markley was named the tournament’s MVP for his
sensational pitching in both of Saturday’s contests. He
registered the save in the first game by recording the last two
outs and then threw seven shutout innings for the game-two
victory.
WSSU’s (30-19) Andrew Miller was a combined 5-for-9 with
three RBIs which came across on what turned out to be the
tournament-deciding hit. He also scored two runs.
|
| 2011 CIAA Baseball Champions Winston-Salem State University |
Saint Augustine’s (36-18) had defeated WSSU, 3-2, in the tournament’s opening game on Thursday and had won its semifinal game on Friday over No. 1 Chowan to arrive to Championship Saturday unscathed.
The Rams, meanwhile, needed to knock
off No. 4 Virginia State on Thursday and Chowan on Friday to earn
the right for a chance to knock off the Falcons twice.
In the first championship game, the Rams had banged out 15 hits
and had what appeared to be a comfortable 7-2 edge entering the
bottom of the ninth. After recording the first out, Jere Wilkins
recorded the first of five-straight singles.
After plating four runners, Markley
struck out Kevin White with the tying run on third and the winning
run on second to force a second and deciding championship game.
Miller was 3-for-5 leading five Rams with multiple hits. Second
baseman Jordan Graham had a game-high 3 RBIs including a two-run
single in the second inning for the game’s first runs. Tyler
Hickernell pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on 12 hits. He
struck out four and walked three for the win.
Falcons Joe Pierce and Wilkins each recorded 3-for-4 games while
Pierce had a team-high two RBIs including a single in the ninth to
get the Falcons with 7-5.
In the second game, Andrew Miller delivered a two RBI single in
the first to give the Rams a lead they would not relinquish. Miller
was 3-for-4 in the game. Markley, after earning the save in the
first game, pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three
hits. Brice Rivenbark closed out the game’s final innings and
gave up just one hit for the save.
Tournament MVP- John Markley, Winston-Salem State
University
John Markley, Winston-Salem State, Pitcher
Tyler Hickernell , Winston-Salem State, Utility
Brandon Stewart, St. Augustine’s, Pitcher
Adam Capps, Chowan, Designated Hitter
Rashad Ingram, St. Augustine’s, Shortstop
Jordan Graham , Winston-Salem State, Second Base
Joe Pierce, St. Augustine’s, Outfield
Wayne Lewis, St. Augustine’s, Outfield
Brice Rivenbark, Winston-Salem State, Outfield
Justin Bagby, Chowan , First Base
Andrew Miller, Winston-Salem State, First Base
Josh Bishop, St. Augustine’s, Catcher
