WSSU Rams making headway as legit contenders in Division II baseball

Coach Kevin Ritsche

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The fruits of victory typically produce sky-high expectations. For teams with national championship aspirations, it comes with the territory. Coming off a history-making baseball season in which it fell two wins short of advancing to the Division II College World Series, Winston-Salem State wants more.

Entering postseason play, the Rams were ranked 21st in the national polls and fourth in the Atlantic Region. Their non-conference mark of 27-14 bolstered their status as viable regional contenders.

“This program has reached a point where it’s now recognized as a legitimate (regional) contender year in and year out,” said WSSU Coach Kevin Ritsche, whose team recorded a best-ever record of 42-15. “With the showing we had from this season, we have the mindset that we can win against the very best.

“Talent is vital for winning, but it will only take you so far. It’s more important to have a group of guys who are committed to the program and committed to each other. That’s the one trait that all the top contending teams have.”

Since baseball’s return to WSSU in 2010, Ritsche has a winning percentage of .661 (182-93) and the Rams have won five straight CIAA Tournament titles and made the same number of trips to the NCAA playoffs. At this year’s Atlantic Regionals, WSSU won its first two games convincingly, but lost in heart-breaking fashion to the region’s top seeds – 2-1 to Mercyhurst (No.1) and 6-5 to second-seeded Millersville.

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