Feb. 9, 2001

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest baseball team opened the 2001 campaign with a 12-5 win over James Madison on Friday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. Freshman Josh Hansen led the Deacon offensive attack with three hits, two RBI and his first collegiate home run. Six Wake Forest batters had at least two hits including senior Jason Aquliante who also drove in three runs.

On the mound, senior Scott Siemon earned the victory, the 24th of his career. That total pushes him into a tie with Marc Palmieri for fourth place on the all-time wins chart. Siemon pitched six innings and struck out five while allowing four earned runs.

James Madison got on the board first with five runs in the second inning. Wake Forest wasted no time, however, by responding in the bottom of the inning. The Deacons sent 11 batters to the plate, scored six runs and drilling two home runs by Aquilante and senior Corey Slavik.

Siemon and the Wake Forest bullpen closed the door the rest of the way, allowing just three hits over the final seven innings. Freshman Adam Hanson pitched two innings of scoreless relief before handing the ball to junior closer Dave Bush who needed just six pitches in the ninth inning to close the book on the season opener.

"We showed a lot of mental courage this afternoon. I think it shows how far the program has come over the last few years. They hung five runs up in the second and for us to come back right away with six is outstanding," head coach George Greer said. "I thought Scott (Siemon) did a great job of putting that inning behind him. Josh Hansen and Jamie D'Antona had excellent games, especially for freshmen. Adam Hanson was great and David Bush was David Bush."

Wake Forest's four-game homestand to start the season continues with Penn State on Saturday and Sunday. Freshman Kyle Sleeth is expected to make his Wake debut on the mound. First pitch on Saturday is 1 p.m.