Photo by Craig T. GreenJei
Rams senior centerfielder Jason Baytop hit .400 in four CIAA tournament games.
Conference baseball reign comes to abrupt end
BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE .
FOR THE CHRONICLE
The familiar phrase, "It's not how you start, but how
?you finish," is so appropriate for what happened to
Winston-Salem State in the finals of the CIAA baseball
tournament last Saturday.
For the first two days of tourna
ment play, it looked like the five-time
champs were all set to celebrate win
ning the title for the sixth year in a row.
The Rams got off to a good start with
convincing wins over Virginia State (6
2) and Saint Augustine's (16-0).
The tournament's final round, though, produced a
vastly different story.
Winston-Salem State's half-a-decade reign as CIAA
baseball kings came to a shocking end with back-to-back
losses to Chowan. In retrospect, the way the Rams stum
bled in the late innings was somewhat surprising.
In both games, WSSU had problems pushing runs
across the plate. ?In the decisive second game, Chowan
scored five unearned runs in the eighth inning in a 7-2 vic
tory which assured that a new CIAA baseball champion
would be crowned. Offensively, the Rams were stymied
WSSU's CIAA All-Tournament picks
Michael McNamara, catcher
Landon Steiner, first base
Willie McRae, Jr., rightfield
Randy Norris, second base
Justin Norton, pitcher
by their inability to move runners. For that game, 12 run
ners were left on base. It didn't help matters that in the two
games that mattered most, WSSU allowed 13 unearned
runs.
The events that transpired in the CIAA final proved to
be one of the concerns that coach Kevin1 Ritsche talked
about entering the final month of the season. At that junc
ture, the Rams had issues generating offense on a consis
tent basis. Those very same issues came back to haunt
Winston-Salem State at the conference tournament.
?'It's tough on your defense when you're only scoring
two or three runs a game," Ritsche told Chronicle
Sports Week at that time. "It puts a lot of pressure on our
pitching staff."
The opening game of the final round proved to be a
V
bad omen of what was yet to come. WSSU pitching was
hammered for 15 hits in a one-sided 11-2 loss. Since the
Rams were undefeated in the tournament, losing that first
game forced a second game in this double-elimination
event.
Considering how well the Rams had played in the
weeks leading up to the tournament, their downfall was
unexpected. They had won nine of their last 10 games and
appeared to be rounding into championship form. At the
same time, there are no guarantees in the world of sports
Winning championships is not an everlasting occurrence.
Although WSSU fell short in its quest to continue its
dominance, there is a bright side to consider. The season
is not a done deal just yet. The Rams (29-21) have foui
regular season games left to play. And there's still a possi
bility that they could make the post-season scene as an at
large entry in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.
Whether that happens or not is anyone's guess
Entering the CIAA tournament, WSSU was ranked ninth
in the Atlantic Region. But of the top nine, the Rams had
the most regional losses, which could hinder their post
season chances. Pairings for the regional tournaments are
scheduled to be announced on May 15 during an NCAA
selection show.
Local man lives
childhood dream,
joins pro football
team
BY TEVIN STBMSON
THE CHRONICLE
While growing up in
East Winston, Ray von
Mitchell always had aspi
rations of signing a con
tract to play professional
football. Last weekend his
wish came true.
After years of playing
and studying the game, last
Saturday, April 30, at the
young age of 58, Mitchell's
dream became a reality
when he signed a one-day
contract to join the
Winston-Salem Wildcats,
the city's indoor football
team that competes in the
southern division of the
AIF (American Indoor
Football) league.
Mitchell is the oldest
player on record to sign a
contract to play profession
al football.
Before signing the con
tract, Mitchell said it feels
great to live out one of his
childhood dreams. He said,
"Although it's just for one
day, I can always say I
signed a contract to play
professional football.
"I really feel like a mil
lion bucks," he said. "I will
never forget this day. This
really means a lot to me." ?
Mitchell said he can
now say that he has ful
filled all of his childhood
dreams. He also had
dreams of becoming a fire
man, which he did for a
short stint in Salisbury, and
becoming a teacher, which
he did after receiving his
degree in education from
Livingstone College.
"Not many people can
say that they lived all of
their childhood dreams.
Today I can say that I
have."
Mitchell, who currendy
serves as an assistant train
er for the Wildcats, who
are playing their inaugural
season in
the AIF,
said he
enjoys
being
around the
game and
spending
time with
the play
ers.
Mitchell
During an interview
with The Chronicle,
Mitchell, a former wide
receiver, said what he
enjoys most about the
game is the joy of scoring
touchdowns and perform
ing in front of family and
friends. His. love for the
game started while playing
at 14th Street Recreation
Center. He went on to play
at Carver and East Forsyth.
Although it's been
years since he's seen live'
game action, Mitchell said
he still feels he can do his
thing between the lines.
"I feel like I can still
play," laughed Mitchell. "I
know I still have the hands.
I tell the players that all the
time."
Mitchell's sister Norma
Gay said growing up he
always showed a love for
the game of football. Gay
mentioned he would
always be the one gather
ing young boys from
around the neighborhood
for big games after school
and on the weekends.
Gay said it feels great
to see her brother live out
one of his dreams.
"It's great to see him do
something he has wanted
to do," she said.
Other family members
noted that Mitchell is the
type of person who is
always looking to lend a
helping hand and uplift
those in need. Mitchell's
daughter Raylyn Long said
her father has always been
an inspiration for herself
and others.
"Because he does so
much for other people, it
feels good to see him
receiving something in
return," Long said.
Long 'mentioned seeing
her father run out on the
field with the team is an
image that will live in her
mind forever.
While he didn't get any
playing time during the
Wildcats final home game
of the 2016 season,
Mitchell's signing had an
obvious impact, on the
team's play, as they picked
up their first victory of the
season in a 49-19 blowout
in a match-up with visiting,
Maryland Eagles.
"It all fits at the right
time," Mitchell smiled.
rnwos oy icvin aunson
Winston-Salem native Rayvon Mitchell looks on as the Wildcats take on the
Maryland Eagles last Saturday at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex.
Mitchell signed a contract to join the team last weekend fulfilling one of his
childhood dreams.