WEST LAWN, Pa. – Shepherd University held off Winston-Salem State for a 4-3 victory in first day action of the 2014 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Atlantic Regional Tournament at Owls Park at Ted Palka Park on Thursday.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman second baseman Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) reach on a fielder's choice and stole second. He moved to third on a single by senior first baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) and scored on a single by junior designated hitter Jason Hepple (Margate, Fla./Highland Christian Academy/Garrett CC).

Winston-Salem State took a 2-1 lead in the fifth behind a sacrifice fly from Levi Grassley and an RBI-single from Rafael Gonzalez.

Shepherd scored a pair of runs in sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Senior outfielder Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East/Tampa) reached on an error and scored on a single by Hepple. Hepple later scored on a single off the bat of junior third baseman Bryce Shemer (Potomac, Md./Winston Churchill/Colorado Mesa).

The Rams extended their lead to 4-2 in the seventh as as senior outfielder Kyle Porter (Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel/CCBC) singled and scored on a double off the bat of junior catcher Spencer Wolfe (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown/USC Aiken).

Winston-Salem State plated a run in the eighth as Aaron Hatch was hit-by-pitch and later scored on a ground out Leland Clemmons.

Coffey went 3-for-4, while Porter and Hepple each added a pair of hits for the Rams.

Gonzalez went 3-for-4 and Alex Grubb added a 2-for-3 effort for Winston-Salem.

Sophomore starter Ryan Pansch (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 Ks, 3 BB) (7-4) gained the win. Senior Paul Hvozdovic (Herndon, Va./Herndon) worked the ninth to gain the save. Jordan Carlton (5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 Ks, 0 BB) (6-3) took the loss for Winston-Salem State.
 
Shepherd improves to 39-12, while Winston-Salem State falls to 36-18. The Rams are slated to return to action on Friday at 7 p.m  against the winner of today's Seton Hill-Mercyhurst game.

Notes: Shepherd's 39 wins tie for the most in program history… The Rams recorded their first postseason win since 2002… Shepherd broke a four-game losing skid at Owls Park.

Box Score