Sports > April 14, 2005

By Alli Soule

Sports Editor

Although it may now be nothing but a hazy memory to many, Wake Forest used to be a baseball powerhouse. Our diamond deacs used to rule the ACC roost of baseball.

As recently as 2001, the Deacs brought home the ACC Tournament trophy. In 1998 and1999, the trophy had also been brought to Winston-Salem; here to stay for two years.

In 2002, former Head Coach George Geer was named ACC Coach of the Year, and 2001 Freshman of the Year, 2003 Player of the Year third baseman Jamie D’Antona was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the draft.

He is currently a minor leaguer.

Arguably the brightest gem for Wake Forest baseball, in recent years, was righty pitcher Dave Bush of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bush, who started yesterday’s game against the Oakland A’s, is a former ACC Tournament MVP, first team All-ACC selection and a two-time Cape Cod League All-Star.

Bush was the last star to emerge from the Wake Forest dugout. After his junior year, he maintained a 90-mph fastball, a good slider and curve and an excellent change up too. After being brought up to the majors, Bush had difficulties with left-handed hitters who buried him but managed to pull through. Essentially, he is a two-pitch pitcher and a mechanically sound player.

Yet before there was Bush, there was Mike MacDougal. Currently pitching for the Kansas City Royals, MacDougal was a 2003 AL All-Star with an ERA of 4.91. Although the former Deac has a habit of overthrowing, his fastball can reach 100-mph and his slider can be particularly scorching, especially when thrown very hard.

With the rich Deacon legacy of quality players compared to the recent struggles the team has suffered of late, one is left confused.

Clearly the team has talent and it is obvious that they are improving and are considerably better than last year.

And the stand-outs from last season are simply standing out more this season.

Second baseman Ben Ingold has been solid for the team all season. Last year he lead the team batting .361.

This season he has proven just as vital. In the recent upset over eighth-ranked Florida State, a crushing blow came from Ingold’s bat when he cracked a three-run homer into left field in extra innings. Ingold not only game the team the leg up, but forced FSU to deal with the 9-6 deficit.

Sophomore Matt Antonelli is also putting in considerable efforts.

In game two of the FSU series, he was 2-for-4, with a pair of runs and an RBI in the 7-5 loss.

Currently starting at catcher, senior Ryder Mathais is batting .289 and is literally taking one for the team. He is second on the career hit-by-pitch list with 32, after being hit for the 19th time against the Noles.

What’s frustrating is not the team’s effort; however, but the number of close calls. In six of the Deacs’ games, they have lost by a margin of two runs or less, in half of those cases, they fell by one run.

Moreover, the team has the capabilities of playing huge, as seen from their wins over then sixth-ranked Miami, 13-6 March 19 and their recent victory over No. 8 Florida State 13-10.

Also just looking at the records from one year to the next. Thus far the Deacons are 8-10 in ACC play. Last year, the team racked up a dismal four wins and 20 loses in conference play; so the team has not only surpassed last year’s total, but doubled it as well.

The improved record is also without the help of key pitcher Justin Keadle who underwent Tommy John surgery and taking him out of play for 2005.

All in all, it’s only a matter of time before the Deacs can regain their momentum of the past. With a full line-up, there’s no telling how much potential this team has.