ERIE, PA – The Winston-Salem State battled until the end, but could not get the tying run home from third base in the bottom of the 9th, as the Rams fell to #1 seed Mercyhurst, 2-1, in the NCAA Atlantic Regional at Jerry Uht Park, in Erie, Pa.

Mercyhurst would get on the board in the fourth inning, plating one run on a sacrifice fly to go out in front 1-0.

The Lakers would add one more run it the eighth, as a single to right field would bring home another run to push Mercyhurst to a 2-0 advantage.

WSSU's last ditch effort came in the ninth inning, when Dylan Dombrowskas doubled off the left field wall to start the inning, and was brought home on a double from Nathan Steger, to cut the Laker lead to 2-1. But the tying run would be left stranded at third base, and the WSSU Rams would fall, 2-1.

Aaron Hatch, took the loss for the Rams, despite a valiant pitching effort. Hatch went 6.2 innings, allowing nine hits, but just one earned run, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Hayden O'Neal went 1.0 inning, allowing one run on one hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Jordan Cummings went the final 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three.

The WSSU Rams were led at the plate by Dylan Dombrowskas, who finished 2 for 3 with a run scored. Des Roberts and Colby Keene each went 1 for 3, and Gavin Culler and Nathan Steger went 1 for 4, with Steger picking up a late run batted in.

WSSU will face #2 seed, Millersville, at 12:00pm, for a chance to still play for the Atlantic Region Title.