DII/CIAA/Baseball
WSSU Sports Information
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams swept a double header from California University (PA) today, 2-1 and 4-3 on a pair of walk-off hits from Connor Andrus and Alex Grubb, at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem.
In game one, both starting pitchers were able to keep the other team from gaining any momentum, and it wasn’t until the top of the sixth inning that a team would get into the scoring column.
California’s Matt Peters would hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to give the Vulcans a 1-0 advantage.
But the Rams would answer back in the bottom half of the inning, after back to back hits from Nathan Steger and Connor Andrus, who would advance to third on the throw back into the infield. WSSU would get some help when Alex Grubb popped up to second base, but the fielder would drop the ball, allowing Connor Andrus to score from third to tie the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the seventh with the score still tied, Taylor Idol and Gavin Culler would start the inning with back to back hits, followed by a walk to Des Roberts to load the bases. After a strikeout, Connor Andrus would come to plate and would not disappoint, as he would send a deep fly ball over the center fielder’s head allowing Taylor Idol to jog home for the 2-1 walk off win.
With the win, Winston-Salem State improves to 11-4 overall, while California (Pa) drops their opening game of the season.
Sam Burton was masterful on the afternoon, going 6.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one run, while walking three and striking out seven. Jordan Cummings picked up the win in relief for the Rams, going an inning, walking one and striking out one.
Nathan Steger led the Rams at the plate, going three for three in the game, while Gavin Culler and Connor Andrus each finished two for four, with Andrus picking up the game winning rbi and scoring a run. Taylor Idol went one for three with a run scored and Dylan Dombrowskas went one for four.
In game two, the Vulcans would get out early on the Rams, with the help of two WSSU errors and a base hit, and took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Winston-Salem State would answer in the bottom half of the first, whne Gavin Culler and Des Roberts went back to back to singles, and Dylan Dombrowskas would bring home Culler on an error by the left fielder. Phillip Page would come through with a two rbi single to left field, scoring Des Roberts and Dylan Dombrowskas.
California (Pa) would go ahead in the third inning, after a couple of hits would bring in a run for the Vulcans to tie the game at 3-3.
The game would remain tied at 3-3 until the bottom of the seventh inning, when on his first swing, Alex Grubb would hit a towering shot of the right field cat walk for a walk-off home run, giving WSSU a 4-3 win.
With the win, WSSU moves to 12-4 overall, while California (Pa) falls to 0-2.
Devin McLemore picked up the win in relief for WSSU, going 2 scoreless and hitless innings. Jordan Carlton was the starter for the Rams, but only made it a third of an inning, allowing two runs, one hit and one walk. Eric Corlett pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven.
Phillip Page led the Rams at the plate, going two for three with two runs batted in,while Alex Grubb went one for three with a run scored and an rbi, including the game-winning walk-off home run. Gavin Culler and Des Roberts each went one for three with a run scored, and Connor Bodenhamer finished one for two. Dylan Dombrowskas also had a run scored and a run batted in.
Winston-Salem State and California (Pa) will engage in another double header on Sunday, starting at 1:00pm at BB&T Ballpark.