Wake Forest University
Duke
Saving The Best For Last
3/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2001
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- The 22nd-ranked Wake Forest baseball team won in the game's final at-bat for the second time this week with a 9-8 victory over Duke on Saturday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. The Deacons up their overall record to 13-2 and 2-0 in the ACC. Wake Forest is 11-0 at Hooks Stadium this season.
The Deacons trailed 8-7 going into the bottom of the ninth and loaded the bases with just one out. Sophomore Nick Blue rolled what appeared to be a tailor-made double play ball but first baseman Adam Loftin dropped the relay throw that would have forced extra innings. Meanwhile, pinch-runner Matt Brennie came across to score the game-winning run.
It was a wild finish in slugfest that saw the teams combine for 17 runs and 31 hits. The Deacons posted a season high 17 hits as a team. Six Wake Forest batters had two or more hits. Freshman first baseman Jamie D,Antona went three-for-four with three RBI. Freshman Josh Hansen doubled twice and drove in three runs. Cory Sullivan, Carlos Brackley, Jamie Athas and Blue all had at least two hits.
Kevin Kelly led the Blue Devil attack, going five-for-five with three runs scored. Troy Caradonna and Drew Jerdan each chipped in three hits.
Dave Bush earned the win for the second straight day to move his record to 2-0. Duke reliever Kevin Perry suffered the loss for the Blue Devils. The game marked the 2001 debut on the mound by senior Cory Sullivan. Sullivan, a preseason All-American in center field, pitched a scoreless eighth inning and struck out one batter.
"We put ourselves in a position to win and we were able to capitalize, ?/?? head coach George Greer said. "It wasn,t clean baseball but it was winning baseball today and that,s all that matters. However, we need to come out and play better tomorrow if we expect to win.
With the win, Wake Forest improves to 13-2 overall and a perfect 11-0 at home. Duke slides to 7-11 on the year. The two teams will wrap up the opening weekend of ACC play on Sunday afternoon at Hooks Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Junior Ryan Lewis will make the start for the Demon Deacons.
Duke 102 030 101 - 8 14 1Wake Forest 100 041 012 - 9 17 0
