Sports > February 11, 2004

By Gerard McMahon

Old Gold and Black Reporter

There is no mistaking it, with each passing second, the 2004 baseball season looms closer and closer. For the Demon Deacons, the new beginning means an opportunity to make amends on a disappointing 29-24 record last year.

The squad that Deacon fans will see taking the field on opening day will be a much different team than the one that ended last season. Gone to the major leagues are star pitcher Kyle Sleeth (first round — Tigers), standout third baseman Jamie D’Antona (second round — Diamondbacks), centerfielder Adam Bourassa (sixth round — Rangers), rightfielder Ryan Johnson (13th round — Padres) and reliever Adam Hanson (42nd round — Indians).

This year’s Deacs were picked to finish sixth in the ACC preseason poll. Still, they are optimistic.

“Many of our players have played in collegiate summer leagues,” Head Coach George Greer explained. “So they have some experience, but not to the level of folks we lost.”

The 2004 season, however, will also mark the return to the field of former All-ACC second baseman senior Nick Blue, who was forced to redshirt last year due to a season-ending shoulder injury. Blue, who only had one plate appearance last year, hit .355 with 21 stolen bases in his last full season.

This year, his role as a leader will be even more important on a relatively inexperienced team.

“I hope that I can help our team understand that winning 40-plus games, a pair of regionals, and going to Omaha is all within our grasp,” Blue said.

Blue will be joined in the infield by junior shortstop Ben Ingold, who is a pre-season second team All-ACC selection. Ingold, who hit .317 in 2003, has started all but one game in his Wake Forest career.

While Blue and Ingold provide stability up the middle of the infield, the corner infield positions remain undecided. Seniors Brad Scioletti and Doug Riepe are trying to hold off talented freshmen Matt Antonelli and Lee Land for the starting positions there and at designated hitter. Scioletti, a preseason honorable mention all-ACC selection, hit .313 last year. All four athletes are extremely versatile and are capable of playing anywhere on the diamond; Land could also see some time pitching for the Deacons out of the bullpen this year.

The outfield will most likely feature three new starters, including junior college-transfer Matt Miller. Miller, a junior who is expected to lead off and play center field, will be joined by preseason second team All-ACC selection Steve LeFaivre, a senior, in right field and either sophomore Casey Sterk or freshman Brian Shust in left field. Riepe, Scioletti and Antonelli could all also see time in the outfield.

Behind the plate will likely be J.B. Tucker, a transfer from Mississippi State who hit .312 in 2003. Tucker will be joined at catcher by redshirt junior Ryder Mathias, Wake Forest’s 2002 starter who was injured most of last year. Sophomore Steven Malinowski, Mathias’ replacement last year, may also see some time behind the plate.

Despite the losses of Sleeth and Hanson, the pitching staff could still be a strength this year.

For the first time in three years, Sleeth will not be at the front of the Deacs’ pitching staff; instead, that honor falls on Justin Keadle, a junior college transfer who ranked second in the Cape Cod league in strikeouts this past summer.

“Sleeth left some huge shoes to fill,” Keadle said. “But now I don’t feel as much pressure as I did because I’ve gotten to know the team better.  We are all a bunch of guys that other teams haven’t seen, and that will work to our advantage.”

Junior Tim Morley figures to settle in as the team’s second starter, while sophomore Kyle Young capitalized on a terrific fall to capture the Sunday spot in the rotation. Junior Brian Bach, who had some success as a starter last season, and freshman Josh Ellis also could start games.

Leading the bullpen will be sophomore Kirby Wedekind, who proved himself last year to be one of the top freshman relievers in the ACC. Senior Indy Wilkinson; juniors Daniel Davidson and Danny Mackey; and freshmen Andrew Knox, Charlie Mellies and Sean Souders also should contribute.

The Deacs’ first game is at Davidson Feb. 17. March 19 is the ACC opener at home against Georgia Tech.

According to Blue, this team has a chance to be good because of its superb chemistry.

“This is the closest I’ve seen a Wake Forest baseball team in the five years I have been here,” Blue said.