April 16, 2008

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (15-30) saw their four-run lead evaporate in a heartbreaking 8-7 extra inning loss to the Western Carolina Catamounts (16-30), Wednesday afternoon. The Lady Rams built a commanding 7-3 lead in the first six innings, but allowed five unanswered runs to the Catamounts in the final two innings of the game. The Lady Rams allowed four runs to the Catamounts in the seventh inning, followed by an extra inning run to end the day with the heartbreaking WSSU loss.

The Lady Rams had a sold performance at the plate, totaling eight hits and scoring seven runs in the loss, but could not hold off the hard-charging Catamounts. WSSU juniors Desiree Ramirez and Leslie Hollis each notched a pair of hits in the loss. Hollis added a pair of RBI with a run scored as well. Three more Lady Rams recorded a hit, an RBI, and a run scored each in the game.

After allowing the Catamounts to jump ahead to an early 3-0 lead, the Lady Rams regained control of the contest with four third-inning runs. The Lady Rams opened the inning with three consecutive innings and scored a pair of runs. A throwing error by the Catamounts would allow another WSSU run. Lady Ram freshman catcher Kayla Woodbury would cap the WSSU run with an RBI sacrifice fly that left the Lady Rams on top 4-3.

WSSU would add three more runs to their lead in the sixth inning. The inning opened with a start similar to the third inning as the Lady Rams recorded back-to-back singles to open the inning. The hits would produce the first of three WSSU runs in the inning. Hollis would drive in the final two runs of the game for the Lady Rams on a two-RBI single that put the Lady Rams ahead, 7-3.

The Lady Rams would struggle in the final two innings of play allowing Western Carolina to tie the game in the seventh inning and an extra inning winning run.

WSSU sophomore Ashley Boswell (6-4) took the pitching loss for the Lady Rams pitching all eight innings of the loss and giving up 11 hits to the Catamounts. She did record eight strikeouts and only allowed six runs during the game.

The Lady Rams will return to action this Friday when the team heads to Washington, D.C. to take on the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Howard Lady Bison in a 3:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader. The team will remain on the road to face fellow MEAC foes Coppin State and Morgan State this weekend.