West Lake, PA -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams rebounded and held on for a thrilling 6-5 win over Shepherd University, to advance in the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional Baseball Tournament on Friday.

The win is Winston-Salem State's first baseball playoff win in the school's history.

With the win, WSSU advances to Saturday, where the Rams will play the loser of tonight's West Chester/Mercyhurst game.  WSSU will play at 2:30 PM on Saturday.

WSSU got on the scoreboard early, as leadoff hitter, Travis Moore, opened the game with a single to center field. Moore then stole second, and on the next pitch stole third base.  Paco Martin doubled to left, scoring Moore.

Shepherd answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on two hits, including a double.

The Rams were able to add 3 runs in the third inning on another Paco Martin double, followed by Aaron Jones' single to score Martin.  Brandon Harrison doubled to left field, scoring Jones, and Devin McLemore doubled to left scoring Harrison.

WSSU added another run in the sixth inning when Travis Moore scored when German Reyes hit a scorcher to second base, and the Shepherd player booted the ball.

Leading 6-1 in the eighth inning, Shepherd scored twice, cutting WSSU's lead to 6-3, and Shepherd scored twice more in the ninth before Wesley Edwards shut the door for the Winston-Salem State win.

Paco Martin was on fire for the Rams, finishing the afternoon going 4 for 5 with 2 rbi's and a run scored. Michael Robbins also swung a hot bat, going 3 for 5.  Travis Moore went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, while Aaron Jones, Brandon Harrison and Devin McLemore each had an rbi.

Scott Wells picked up the win for WSSU, going 6.2 innings giving up just one earned run and allowing five hits.  John Markley pitched one inning allowing 2 earned runs, while Wesley Edwards picked up the save with 1.1 innings pitched, striking out 4, walking one and giving up 2 earned runs.