Rams swept in doubleheader at home opener

For the first time in 38 years, the Winston-Salem State Rams Baseball team 5-5 (2-2) hosted a home game Feb. 15.

The doubleheader was against St. Augustine's College 4-4 (2-0) at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem, where the Chicago White Sox farm team Winston-Salem Dash play home games.

The Rams lost both games 3-2 and 5-2.

In the first game, the Rams jumped out to an early 1-0 lead from a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Michael Robbins.

"That first inning was big for us," Robbins said.

"We gave our pitcher the lead early."

The Rams were able to hold on to their lead until the third inning, when the Falcons scored on a two-out single. Pitcher Brice Rivenbark got himself out of the inning striking out the next batter.

The Rams fell behind 2-1 in the top of the fourth from an RBI single by Falcons designated hitter Jeremy Wilkins. Rivenbark ended the inning by striking out the final batter.

The Rams struck back in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game 2-2.

Dual sport athlete Dominique Fitzgerald hit an RBI single that allowed right fielder Andrew Smith to score. Fitzgerald was caught attempting to steal second base, ending the fourth inning.

The Falcons took the lead again in the sixth 3-2 with an RBI triple. The Rams struck out four times in the sixth and seven innings, ending any chance of a victory.

The Rams couldn't manufacture enough runs and struggled with base running in game No.2 loss to the Falcons.

In the second game, Rams starting pitcher Joseph Herbert loaded the bases in the first inning, but he was able to escape by striking out the final batter.

The Falcons jumped ahead in the top of the third inning on a RBI single that allowed shortstop Rashad Ingram to score from third base.

The Rams bats struggled during the first four innings, striking out five times and abandoning two runners on bases.

"They [St. Augustine's] hit their spots and made it hard for us to score runs," said Head Baseball Coach Kevin Ritsche.

The Rams had problems with fielding the ball and had a combined six errors in the two games.

"The errors killed us today," Robbins said.

Coach Ritsche said that the teams' defense did not play up to expectations.

"We have a lot of young guys and freshmen who can learn a lot from games like this."

The Rams are looking to bounce back with two of their next three series being against conference opponents, Lincoln University (Pa.) on Feb. 20 and St. Paul's College on Feb. 26.