Demon Deacons Begin Fall Workouts Under Clear Skies
10/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 18, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest baseball team opened its fall workouts with its first practice on Wednesday afternoon. The Demon Deacons were originally scheduled to begin practice on Tuesday, but rainy conditions forced the squad to push it back a day. Wednesday's conditions proved to be perfect baseball weather, as the Deacs worked out under clear skies and warm sunshine.
"Everyone is excited to get practice under way," said head coach Rick Rembielak. "Our goal in the next four weeks is to acclimate the freshmen to high-caliber college baseball and to find out where we are at this point in time.
"This year there are not many holes to fill with younger guys like we had to last year. The urgency to get the younger players ready isn't as high. We have a good mix of players returning. With the exception of third base, we have everybody else back."
The Demon Deacons must fill the void left by the departure of third baseman Matt Antonelli, who was a first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres this past June.
"We lost a very good player in Matt Antonelli," said Rembielak. "That's one big void we have to fill in the lineup, offensively and defensively."
Despite the loss of Antonelli, the cupboard is not barren for the Deacs. Wake returns ACC Rookie of the Year Allan Dykstra as well as All-American Ben Hunter.
The first baseman Dykstra collected a wealth of honors after his freshman campaign in 2006. In addition to the conference rookie of the year honor, Dykstra was named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America and Rivals.com.
Junior righthander Hunter headlines the Demon Deacon pitching staff entering this year. Hunter was named first team All-ACC and an All-American by multiple publications.
The Wake Forest pitching staff will be led in 2007 by new assistant coach Greg Bauer. Bauer comes to the Deacs after playing professionally for six years.
"Every year the success of the team is based on pitching; it's no different this year," said Rembielak. "The biggest question marks for us will be the depth of our pitching staff and the roles they'll fill."
Wake Forest will wrap up its fall workouts with the Black and Gold World Series Nov. 16-19. The Demon Deacons open their spring schedule Feb. 16-18 at home against Kent State.
