Wake Forest University
Charlotte
Charlotte Defeats Demon Deacon Baseball, 10-4
3/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 30, 2005
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest baseball team took a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning, but Charlotte rallied for seven runs in the final three innings to defeat the Demon Deacons, 10-4, in college baseball action from Hooks Stadium Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, the Deacs drop to 11-16 on the season, while the 49ers improve to 16-9.
Wake Forest appeared in good position for its second consecutive victory after freshman Andy Goff smacked his second home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Deacs a 4-3 lead.
After freshman Eric Niesen worked out of a one-out jam in the sixth inning, the southpaw was not as fortunate in the seventh. The 49ers loaded the bases with no outs before Adam Willard laced an two-run double to give Charlotte a 5-4 lead. With runners at second and third, still no outs, sophomore Matt Antonelli made a pair of outstanding plays at third base to keep the deficit at one run. Kris Rochelle hit a ground ball that Antonelli ranged into foul territory, but still managed to throw Rochelle out at first base without letting either runner advance. Then, Antonelli lunged to his left to spear a line drive off the bat of Spencer Steedley for the second out of the inning.
Niesen forced Chris Taylor to hit a routine pop up, but redshirt sophomore Brendan Enick was unable to make the catch which allowed two more runs to scamper home giving the 49ers a 7-4 lead.
Charlotte added three more runs, two of which were unearned, in the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.
Keith Moreland (2-0) picked up the victory for the 49ers. The right-handed hurler worked 2.0 innings and allowed a pair of earned runs on four hits. Matt Foard tossed the final 3.0 innings to record his second save of the season. Foard struckout a pair and allowed one hit.
Senior Kip Byrum made his second career start for the Deacs and pitched effectively. The southpaw tossed a career-best 5.0 innings and allowed three earned runs. Byrum scattered eight hits and struckout two. Niesen (0-1) worked 2.0 innings and allowed four runs, two earned, in his first loss of the season. He yielded four hits with a strikeout and walk. Senior Kyle Young pitched the final 2.0 innings and also allowed four hits, but only one earned run.
The 49ers recorded 16 hits on the afternoon. Mike Ambrose went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Williard went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, three RBI and three doubles. O'Brien Taylor, Chris Taylor, Chris Lane and Cory Lane all had two hits.
Freshman Mike Causey went 2-for-3 with a run scored and was the lone Demon Deacon with two hits. Senior Ryder Mathias went 1-for-4 with a two-run single and RBI ground out. Freshman Andy Goff went 1-for-3 with the solo home run.
Wake Forest returns to action this weekend, April 1-3, with a three-game ACC tilt against the Duke Blue Devils. The series opens Friday afternoon when sophomore Josh Ellis takes the mound for the Deacs. First-pitch at Hooks Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.
-- WakeForestSports.com --
