Rams Open NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional with 7-2 Loss to Mercyhurst

Rams Open NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional with 7-2 Loss to Mercyhurst

Offensive struggles prove costly to the Rams in tough loss

 May 20, 2011

LANCASTER, PA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (30-24) struggled to get their offense going in a tough 7-2 loss to the Mercyhurst Lakers (40-23), Friday afternoon. The Rams gave their best effort in the game, but the runs were hard to come by for the Rams as the team managed just four hits and two runs in the hard-fought loss.

Though the Rams, took the loss, the game gave a great defensive effort to keep the game in reach, trailing 2-1 through the first six innings, but the Rams were outscored 5-1 in the final four innings of play to take the loss. The Rams struggled against the Mercyhurst pitching with just four hits on the day and 16 WSSU strikeouts in the loss. The Rams were able to get on the scoreboard with some clutch hitting as junior catcher Michael Robbins forced an error to third base with a sacrifice bunt that scored junior second baseman Jordan Graham. Freshman outfielder Andrew Smith added a sixth-inning RBI single that drove in sophomore centerfielder German Reyes. The two runs were all that the Rams could muster, however as the team finished the day with the loss.

Four WSSU players recorded one hit each in the tough loss. Smith and Graham were joined by junior outfielder Dominique Fitzgerald and freshman shortstop Scott Wells with hits in the game. WSSU junior Brice Rivenbark (4-8) got the start and took the pitching loss. For the game, he threw five complete innings with six strikeouts, seven hits, and five runs allowed. Freshman Brandon Christ came in for three innings of relief, allowing two runs on four hits and a strikeout.

With the loss, the Rams will move into the secondary bracket and will play #6 Concord tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium.