March 10, 2001
Box Score
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The 22nd-ranked Wake Forest baseball team won in
the game's final at-bat for the second time this week with a 9-8 victory
over Duke on Saturday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. The Deacons up their
overall record to 13-2 and 2-0 in the ACC. Wake Forest is 11-0 at Hooks
Stadium this season.
The Deacons trailed 8-7 going into the bottom of the ninth and loaded
the bases with just one out. Sophomore Nick Blue rolled what appeared
to be a tailor-made double play ball but first baseman Adam Loftin
dropped the relay throw that would have forced extra innings.
Meanwhile, pinch-runner Matt Brennie came across to score the
game-winning run.
It was a wild finish in slugfest that saw the teams combine for 17 runs
and 31 hits. The Deacons posted a season high 17 hits as a team. Six
Wake Forest batters had two or more hits. Freshman first baseman Jamie
D,Antona went three-for-four with three RBI. Freshman Josh Hansen
doubled twice and drove in three runs. Cory Sullivan, Carlos Brackley,
Jamie Athas and Blue all had at least two hits.
Kevin Kelly led the Blue Devil attack, going five-for-five with three
runs scored. Troy Caradonna and Drew Jerdan each chipped in three hits.
Dave Bush earned the win for the second straight day to move his record
to 2-0. Duke reliever Kevin Perry suffered the loss for the Blue
Devils. The game marked the 2001 debut on the mound by senior Cory
Sullivan. Sullivan, a preseason All-American in center field, pitched a
scoreless eighth inning and struck out one batter.
"We put ourselves in a position to win and we were able to capitalize, °/°°
head coach George Greer said. "It wasn,t clean baseball but it was
winning baseball today and that,s all that matters. However, we need to
come out and play better tomorrow if we expect to win.
With the win, Wake Forest improves to 13-2 overall and a perfect 11-0
at home. Duke slides to 7-11 on the year. The two teams will wrap up
the opening weekend of ACC play on Sunday afternoon at Hooks Stadium at
1:30 p.m. Junior Ryan Lewis will make the start for the Demon Deacons.
Duke 102 030 101 - 8 14 1
Wake Forest 100 041 012 - 9 17 0
