Webster 'stepped up' to the plate

The Winston-Salem State baseball team is 18-6 overall and 3-1 [as of March 20] in conference as it looks to win its fifth straight CIAA championship.

Fifth-year Head Coach Kevin Ritsche, who also serves as an assistant professor of exercise physiology, brought baseball back to WSSU in 2010. Ritsche said good pitching has been the greatest contributing factor to the Rams’ success this season.

Sophomore infeilder, Rashad Webster

The baseball team’s success can also be attributed to Ritsche’s scientific expertise.

"We use physiology in all of our techniques," Ritsche said.

Someone else who’s contributed to the continued success of the Rams is Rashad Webster, a sophomore infielder, who has been chosen by Ritsche as this issue’s recipient of the Coach’s Game Ball.

Ritsche said Webster has stepped up in place of some key injured players the Rams have lost over the past few weeks. Ritsche called Webster "one of the hardest working kids we’ve ever had in the program," adding that Webster is "a good, quality person to be around."

Webster, an exercise science major from Charlotte, has improved tremendously from his freshman season and continues to improve, according to Ritsche.

So far this season, he has seven RBIs, a homerun and a .500 slugging percentage, which is second highest on the team (stats through March 20).

Argus: When did you begin playing baseball?

Webster: I began playing baseball (tee-ball) at about the age of 3, and it went uphill from there.

Argus: Describe your experience thus far with WSSU baseball.

Webster: I really like it; we have a lot of great guys on the team who are positive and keep you uplifted. There’s just great camaraderie on the team, and everyone pushes one another.

Argus: Who’s your favorite MLB player?

Webster: I’d probably have to say Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder). He’s an African-American baseball player, and you don’t see too many of those at the top level. He plays the game the right way and succeeds at a high level.

Argus: What challenge(s) did you encounter upon entering the WSSU baseball program and how did you overcome them?

Webster: Coming in as a freshman, I had a fear of how well I’d compete with skilled upperclassmen on the team. I learned not to idolize certain people and to be myself.

Argus: What do you think separates baseball from every other sport?

Webster: It’s a different level of athleticism. I feel like we have the same capabilities of a football or basketball player, but bring one of them on the baseball field and see how well they do.

Argus: What do you hope to achieve this season?

Webster: I just want to win a regional title with my teammates. It’s not about personal achievements with me. I’m focused on contributing the best way I can so we can win regionals and the [Division II] World Series.

Argus: What are your plans after leaving WSSU?

Webster: I want to graduate with my degree in exercise science, try to get into a graduate school program and get a master’s and doctorate in physical therapy -- of course, that’s if baseball doesn’t work.