WSSU Photos
Devin McLemore, who was a junior last season,
prepares to pitch during a Winston-Salem State
University baseball game with Bluejield State
College on April 12.
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE _____
TUCSON, AZ - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has released its first set of college
baseball preseason rankings for NCAA Division II for the 2016 season, and the Winston
Salem State University Rams have been tabbed the #21 team in the rankings.
"Preseason rankings are exciting because it means the season opener is right around
the corner," said Kevin Ritsche, WSSU head baseball coach. "Being only a few votes
from the top 12 is a sign of respect for our program. Now it's up to us to uphold it in
February," added Ritsche.
Winston-Salem State finished 42-15 in 2015, capturing their fifth consecutive CIAA
baseball championship. The 42 wins by WSSU in 2015 are the most in school history,
and the Rams advancing to within two wins of the NCAA DII College World Series is
the furthest a CIAA baseball team has ever gone.
The 2016 WSSU baseball team will open the season on Friday, Feb. 5, when the
Rams host Millersville University of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference at
BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Rashad Webster, who was a sophomore last season, heads around the field dur
ing a Winston-Salem State University baseball game with Bluefield State
College on April 12.
Top 25 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
College Baseball preseason rankings
for NCAA Division II for the 2016 season (first set)
1.Tampa (43-13) 630
2. Catawba (47-15) 626
3. Mercyhurst (40-11) 623
4. Franklin Pierce (48-4) 619
5. Minnesota State (43-9) 616
6. St. Cloud St. (54-5) 614
7. Florida Tech. (38-13) 611
8. West Alabama (42-11) 608
9. Colorado Mesa (48-9) 606
10. Poly Pomona (46-15) 603
11. St. Edwards TX (40-13) 600
12. St. Mary's TX (41-16) 597
13. Angelo St. (42-18) 595
14. Southern Arkansas (40-18) 592
15. North Georgia (38-27) 590
16. Henderson St. (33-21) 589
17. Nova Southeastern (39-13) 585
18. Millersville (45-11) 584
19. SetonHill (45-13) 581
20. Lynn (35-15-1) 576
21. Winston-Salem State (42-15) 572
22. Quincy (40-17) 596
23. S. New Hampshire (31-14) 565
24. Missouri Southern St. (40-14) 562
25. Armstrong State (34-14) 560
Richard Hayes named head
coach at Fayetteville State
WSSU defensive coordinator,
Richard Hayes Jr., has been named
the new head coach at Fayetteville
State, as announced today by the FSU
Department of Athletics.
Hayes has been an integral part of
WSSlTs success over the past five
seasons, and most recently served as
the defensive coordinator for the
2015 CI A A Champion Winston
Salem State University Rams. He
joined the WSSU football coaching
staff in 2010 as an assistant coach
working with the defensive backs and
special teams. Hayes won three
CIAA Championships (2011, 2012,
2015), made four conference champi
onship appearances (2011-12; 2014
15), and compiled a record of 60-13
as a member of the Rams coaching
staff.
"Richard Hayes has been a valu
able part of our Ram Football Family
successes," said Kienus Boulware.
u .
WSSU head coacn. it maKes me
happy to see him achieve his goal of
becoming a head football coach. It
also saddens me to lose him as a
member of my staff but it's a part of
the process. He will be missed dear
f
ly," added Boulware.
"We will move as quickly as pos
sible in identifying a replacement so
that we can have a smooth transition
into spring practice", said Boulware.
"Certainly we wish the very best
for Richard Hayes as he enters the
next chapter of his professional
career," said Tonia Walker, WSSU
Director of Athletics.
"It will definitely be a big loss for
us because his role extends beyond
the football field. They say great
things happen to great people and this
holds true for Coach Hayes in his
dedication to changing the lives of
young men through the game of foot
ball. I'm very proud for him and his
family. He is sure to bring success to
the Fayetteville State football pro
gram," added Walker.
Hayes
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