Winston-Salem, N.C.----The Winston-Salem State University Rams scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth Wednesday evening, holding on for a 5-4 victory over visiting Wingate University in NCAA Division II baseball action. The Rams improve to 1-6 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-6 on the season.

Ivan Acuna went two-for-four with a homer and three RBI to lead the WSSU attack. Emilio Abreu added a double, RBI and run scored, while Randal Ortiz contributed two hits and an RBI.

Senior infielder Colby Barnette (Monroe, N.C.) was two-for-three with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate attack. Junior Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) added a hit and an RBI, while junior Ty Andrus (Winston-Salem, N.C.) contributed a double, RBI, run scored and two stolen bases.

After four scoreless innings, Wingate scored twice in the fifth to take the lead. Andrus drew a lead-off walk, stole second and third, then scored on Barnette's RBI single. Barnette would then score when Brown reached on an error, making it 2-0.

The Rams countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame, starting with a sacrifice fly from Acuna. Abreu followed with an RBI double, then scored on an RBI single from Ortiz to make it 3-2.

Sophomore Austin Turgeon (Athens, Ga.) drew a lead-off walk in the sixth, then scored on an RBI double from Andrus to make it 3-3.

That was the score in the bottom of the eighth when Acuna connected on the go-ahead two-run homer, giving the Rams a 5-3 advantage. Barnette and Brown started the ninth with singles, with Barnette scoring on a wild pitch, but Brown was stranded on third when the game ended.

Seth Reeves got the win in relief, allowing a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Corbin Easter got the save, getting the final three outs of the game, including two strikeouts. Senior left-hander Alon Smith (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss, allowing a run on a hit in one inning while striking out two.

Wingate is back in action Friday, opening a three-game series against Columbus State at 4 p.m.