May 17, 2002

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. -- The third-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons hit six home runs and defeated the Duke Blue Devils, 14-4, Friday evening at Jack Coombs Field. With the win, Wake Forest moved into first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Duke played well against the Demon Deacons and led 4-3 after five innings. But the Blue Devils were unable to keep pace as Wake Forest extended its unbeaten streak to six games.

Wake Forest took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Ryan Johnson doubled to right-center field and scored on Steve LeFaivre's fifth home run of the season.

The Blue Devils scored one run in the bottom of the inning. Junior rightfielder Brian Patrick led off with a double to center field and senior shortstop Kevin Kelly extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single. Patrick scored on a sacrifice fly by junior first baseman Larry Broadway.

Duke took a 3-2 lead in the third inning. Patrick singled to right field and Kelly followed with his eighth home run of the year to center field.

Wake Forest evened the game in the fourth inning with Jeff Ruziecki's seventh home run of the year, a solo shot to center field.

Duke answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Junior catcher Troy Caradonna reached on an error to start the inning and advanced to third on a double by sophomore left fielder Drew Jerdan. He scored on a groundout by freshman third baseman Grant Stanley.

The Demon Deacons took the lead for good on Ryan Braun's three-run home run over the left-center field fence in the sixth inning, chasing Duke starting pitcher DeMarco. It was the third consecutive at bat with a home run for Braun, who entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Wake Forest extended its lead to 12-4 with three runs in the seventh and three in the eighth. Stephen Ghutzman hit a two-run homer in the seventh and added a three-run shot in the eighth inning.

The Demon Deacons hit their sixth home run of the game in the ninth inning, a two-run shot by Ryan Johnson.

Patrick and Kelly led the Blue Devils offensively with three hits apiece. It was the fifth consecutive game in which Patrick has had at least two base hits.

DeMarco (2-4) took the loss for the Blue Devils, giving up six runs in 5.1 innings. Despite giving up a season-high 13 hits, Sleeth improved to 12-0. He walked three and struck out five in his second complete game of the year.

Duke (22-31, 3-19 ACC) and Wake Forest (41-8-1, 16-5 ACC) continue their three-game series Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field.