Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Rice
Wake Baseball Downs Rice, 2-1
1/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 30, 2000
ORLANDO, Fla. - The 21st-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons used an outstanding pitching performance from freshman Ben Clayton to defeat the 14th-ranked Rice Owls 2-1 on the final day of the ACC-Disney Blast at Disney's Wide World of Sports on Sunday.
Clayton (1-0) pitched six innings giving up no runs and just one hit, striking out nine batters to pick up the win. Ryan Lewis, who pitched the last 2 2/3 innings for the Deacs picked up his first save. Marc Gwyn (0-1) pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on three hits in taking the loss for Rice.
Both teams failed to score for the first five innings until Wake Forest catcher Dan Conway homered to break the scoreless tie. Ryan Johnson was on base when Conway homered to give the Deacs a 2-0 lead.
Rice's only run came in the top of the seventh. John Lukin singled to center field to bring in Eric Arnold to cut the Wake Forest lead to 2-1. Conway led the Deacs at the plate with his home run and two RBI. Cory Sullivan, Ryan Johnson and Jamie Athas had one hit apiece for Wake Forest. Brett Smith, Eric Arnold, Jesse Roman and John Lukin each had hits for the Owls.
Wake Forest improves to 1-2 with the win, while Rice drops to 0-3 with the loss. The Deacons will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 15 when they host the Campbell Camels. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Hooks Stadium.
