Sports > May 1, 2008

By Jeff Merski | Senior writer

The baseball team traveled to Atlanta for a pivotal weekend series at Georgia Tech; however, the Deacons were only able to take one game of the series as they slid back in the ACC standings to ninth-place.

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Redshirt senior Charlie Mellies throws a pitch in the April 26 game at Georgia Tech. The Deacs went 1-2 in the series. (Jeff Merski/Old Gold & Black)

The Deacons fell to the Yellow Jackets by a score of 12-1 on April 25, their seventh consecutive Friday loss. Senior outfielder Ben Terry provided the bright spot for the Deacons on offense, as he reached base every time he stepped up to the plate, finishing 2-for-2 while also working two walks.

Junior second baseman Dustin Hood provided the lone run for the Demon Deacons, sending a pitch over the left field wall in the fourth inning for a solo home run.

The home run was Hood’s second home run in the past three games and his second on the season.

Junior starting pitcher Garrett Bullock struggled for the Deacons, allowing seven hits, five walks and seven runs over six innings to take the loss.

Wake Forest fell again on April 26, losing to the Ramblin’ Wreck by a score of 14-6 to drop their sixth consecutive ACC series.

The Deacons had an opportunity in the first inning to strike first as Terry led off with a double to right center and moved over to third base on a grounder by senior outfielder Willy Fox. However, the Deacons were unable to drive him in and Georgia Tech took advantage, striking for three runs in their half of the first inning.

“We had some scoring opportunities that we did not capitalize on,” Head Coach Rick Rembielak said.

The Deacons came back in the third inning to make it a 3-2 game as Terry led off with a single and was able to work his way to third base after another Fox grounder and stealing a base. Junior first baseman Allan Dykstra had an RBI grounder to bring Terry home. Sophomore catcher Mike Murray singled and Hood walked and junior outfielder Evan Ocheltree doubled to right-center to bring Murray home.

However, the Yellow Jackets stung again with another three runs in the bottom of the inning to make it a 6-2 game. The Deacons answered back with another three run inning in the fourth inning, with freshman outfielder Steven Brooks and redshirt junior third baseman Nathan Frazier starting the inning off with singles. Terry had a sacrifice fly to bring home Brooks, with Fox earning a single to put two men on with one out. Dykstra advanced the runners on a fly ball with Murray being able to knock a pitch into right field to make it a 6-5 game.

Georgia Tech quickly responded again, with the Yellow Jackets being able to work the bases loaded and second baseman Thomas Nichols drove a pitch by junior Brad Kledzik over the right field wall to score four runs on one swing.

After the Georgia Tech grand slam, the Deacons were not able to respond, with Murray picking up an RBI single in the eighth inning to make it a 14-6 game.

The Deacons broke through for their eighth ACC win of the season on April 27 by defeating the Yellow Jackets by a score of 7-5.

Senior Ben Hunter picked up his second win of the season, going 8 1/3 innings while scattering seven hits, five runs (three earned) and five strikeouts to get the win.

Sophomore relievers Alex Wiesner and Phil Negus each pitched 1/3 of an inning to protect the lead to ensure the Deacon victory.

“What Hunter did was outstanding,” Rembielak said.

“He came out, kept the ball down in the zone and they had a tough time with him.”

Wake Forest jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, as shortstop senior Andy Goff picked up an RBI after Murray reached on an error and Ocheltree doubled to right field.

Brooks then drove in Ocheltree with a single up the middle to give the Deacons the lead. However, the Deacons gave the runs back in the second inning on a two-run home run to tie the game up at two.

Yet, the Deacons retook the lead in the top of the third inning with an RBI single by Dykstra to drive in Terry to make it a 3-2 game.

Georgia Tech tied it at 3-3 in the fifth inning following a pair of wild pitches by Hunter to allow for an RBI ground out by the Jackets.

However, the Deacons responded right away with a run in the top of the sixth inning, as redshirt junior pinch hitter Weldon Woodall was able to drive in Brooks, who had walked and advanced to second base on a stolen base.

The Deacons expanded their lead in the seventh inning, as Fox led off the inning with a single and Dykstra followed up with a two-run home run to right field.

Murray followed up the home run by working a walk and moved to second after a sacrifice bunt by Hood. Ocheltree then singled to left field to drive home Murray and give the Deacons a 7-3 advantage.

The Yellow Jackets struck for two runs in their half of the seventh inning to make it a 7-5 game and despite the Jackets threatening in the ninth inning by getting their first two batters on base, Hunter, Wiesner and Negus were able to combine to finish the game.

The Deacons traveled to UNC-Greensboro on April 29, where they swept the season series against the Spartans by winning 11-6.

The Deacons found themselves down 1-0 after the first inning; however, they quickly responded with six runs in the second inning, capped off by a Dykstra grand slam to right-center field that was preceded by a Goff RBI single.

Goff later came around to score on a wild pitch.

Brooks wreaked havoc on the basepaths for the Deacons, stealing four bases in the game to contribute to the Deacon offense. Additionally, every Deacon starter scored at least one run in the victory.

Freshman pitcher Brandon Johnson came out of the bullpen to earn his second victory of the season by throwing three innings of scoreless, one-hit baseball.

On April 30, the Deacons returned home for the first time in two weeks to play Davidson. The Deacs managed to earn a split of the season series by posting a 10-0 shutout of the Wildcats behind strong performances by Mellies, redshirt junior Matt Hammond and Kledzik. Mellies went 5 innings allowing only two hits to pick up his second win of the season.

The Deacons took the lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Brooks, who drove in Ocheltree who had reached on a single and had worked his way around the bases.

The Deacons added another run in the third inning behind a sacrifice fly by Ocheltree to bring home Dykstra.

The Deacons managed to score in their final four frames, with Ocheltree delivering a two run home run in the fifth inning, Murray with a two run double in the sixth inning, Hood adding an RBI single in the seventh inning and Brooks driving in another run on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning.

For the second straight game, every Deacon in the starting lineup reached base.The shutout was the Deacons second on the season and extended the Deacons’ winning streak to three games.

The Deacons are off this weekend due to exams and will return to action on May 9 for the last three games to be played at Gene Hooks Stadium.

The Deacons will face the Duke Blue Devils, who are currently a game up on the Deacs for the last slot to qualify for the ACC Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.

Wake Forest also travels to Elon for a midweek game on May 13 and to Chestnut Hill, Mass. for their final ACC series of the season against Boston College following the Duke series.