May 20, 2005

Final Stats

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Wake Forest sophomore Matt Antonelli went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI, including the go-ahead two-run triple in the top of the eighth inning to lead the Demon Deacons past Virginia Tech, 7-5, in ACC baseball action from English Field Friday night. With the victory, Wake Forest improved to 25-27 overall and 12-17 in the ACC, while the Hokies drop to 22-27 and 6-19 in the conference.

After Virginia Tech grabbed a 5-3 lead with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Deacs answered right back with four of their own in the top of the eighth inning. Redshirt junior Grant Achilles and freshman Andy Goff recorded back-to-back one out singles, then both moved into scoring position when Virginia Tech Jake Chaney uncorked a wild pitch. Freshman Brett Linnenkohl followed with an infield RBI single -- atoning for a pair of errors that allowed two unearned runs giving the Hokies that lead in the seventh.

Adam Redd would come on to relieve Jake Chaney to face Antonelli. The third basemen greeted Redd with an RBI triple into the right centerfield gap plating both Goff and Linnenkohl to give the Deacs a 6-5 lead. Senior J.B. Tucker, who was hitless in eight previous at-bats in the series, beat out the second infield single of the inning to give Wake Forest a two-run cushion, 7-5.

Demon Deacon closer Kyle Young, who replaced Wake Forest starter Josh Ellis in the seventh, retired the Hokies in order in the ninth inning to pick up the victory. Young improved to 4-1 on the season. The right-handed hurler tossed 3.0 innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits. Young struckout four and walked one.

Ellis worked 6.0 strong innings, but did not render in the decision. The sophomore tossed 6.0 innings and surrendered just a pair of earned runs on nine hits. Ellis fanned three and walked a pair. The right-hander has gone at least 6.0 innings in six of his 10 ACC starts.

Virginia Tech grabbed a first inning 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly from Bryan Thomas after Matt Hacker laced a one-out triple into the right centerfield gap.

The Demon Deacons grabbed a 3-1 lead with solo runs in the second, third and fourth innings. Achilles picked up an RBI single in the second, redshirt senior Ryder Mathias belted an RBI double off the left field wall in the third and Antonelli did the same for an RBI in the fourth.

Senior Ben Ingold went 0-for-5 from the plate, but was exceptional in the field. The second basement had nine assists without an error. The nine assists were the most for a Demon Deacon since Josh Moody set the single-game school record of 11 against North Carolina on May 9, 1995.

Mathias went 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Achilles went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Goff also added two hits going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Jake Chaney was charged with the loss, dropping to 5-5 on the season. Chaney tossed 7.1 innings and allowed six earned runs on 11 hits. Adam Redd pitched 1.2 innings and allowed an earned run on two hits.

Wake Forest returns to action Saturday with the third and final game of the series with the Hokies. Freshman Eric Niesen will start for the Demon Deacons. First-pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

-- WakeForestSports.com --