Deacon Decade - Baseball
12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 21, 2009
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As the decade comes to a close later this month, WakeForestSports.com will look back on the past 10 years in Demon Deacon athletics. Today, the focus is on the decade that was in baseball.
10. February 20, 2009 - Deacs Return to Wake Forest Baseball Park
Wake Forest played its first game at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park on February 20, 2009, claiming an 11-2 win against Akron. It marked the first game for the Deacs at Wake Forest Baseball Park since 2002, when the team hosted an NCAA regional at the park. Wake Forest opened the 2009 season with six straight home victories.
9. June 3, 2003 - Kyle Sleeth Drafted Third Overall by the Detroit Tigers
Two-time Wake Forest All-American Kyle Sleeth became the highest ever draft pick in Wake Forest history, being picked third by the Detroit Tigers in the 2003 MLB Draft. Sleeth finished his career as a Demon Deacon with a 31-6 record and a 3.47 ERA. He was one of three first round draft picks for Wake Forest during the past decade. Matt Antonelli was selected in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, while Allan Dykstra was also drafted by the Padres in the opening round of the 2008 MLB Draft.
8. February 26, 2006 - Charlie Mellies Tosses Complete Game Shutout at #1 Florida
Junior pitcher Charlie Mellies tossed a complete game shutout to lift Wake Forest to a 4-0 win against top-ranked Florida in the championship game of the 2006 Pepsi Baseball Classic. It was Wake's first win against the nation's No. 1 team since April 26, 2002, when the Deacs defeated Clemson, 4-2. Mellies scattered five hits and struck out six in the 118 pitch performance. It was the first complete game shutout since April 19, 2002. Allan Dykstra and Weldon Woodall each had three hits in the win, while Austin Jones hit a solo home run.
7. May 22, 2006 - Allan Dykstra Named ACC Rookie of the Year
Allan Dykstra became the second Wake Forest player to earn ACC Freshman of the Year honors when he received the accolade after the 2006 regular season. Dykstra, who also earned second team All-ACC recognition that year, led the Demon Deacons in slugging percentage (.670), on-base percentage (.479), RBIs (56), home runs (15), walks (51), sacrifice flies (9) and tied for the team-high in games played (55) and started (55). He led the ACC in OPS, slugging percentage and tied for the lead in sacrifice flies. Dykstra also ranked second in home runs, third in walks and tied for third in on-base percentage. He was also named a Freshman All-American by Rivals.com and Baseball America.
6. May 24-27, 2007 - No. 8 Seed Wake Forest Advances to ACC Tourney Championship
No. 8 seed Wake Forest went 2-1 in pool play to advance to the championship game of the 2007 ACC Baseball Tournament. The magical run would fall just one game short as Wake dropped a 3-2 decision to North Carolina in the title game. The Deacs became just the second eight seed to advance to the ACC Championship game. Dustin Hood was named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing the week hitting 6-for-16 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Wake Forest parlayed their ACC Tournament run into an NCAA Tournament bid, being placed in the Austin, Texas, regional. After dropping the NCAA opener to UC Irvine, the Deacs came back to defeat Brown, 4-2, before being eliminated by host-school Texas, 7-4, in 12 innings.
5. May 19, 2003 - Jamie D'Antona Named ACC Player of the Year
Junior third baseman Jamie D'Antona was named the ACC Player of the Year by the league's coaches, becoming the fifth Wake Forest player to earn the honor. D'Antona, who was also named a first team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, led the ACC and ranked among the nation's leaders with 21 home runs and 82 runs batted in. He also batted .360 and had the best fielding percentage among everyday third basemen in the conference (.926). D'Antona was drafted in the second round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
4. March 28, 2003 - Kyle Sleeth Ties NCAA Record for Consecutive Wins
Junior pitcher Kyle Sleeth tied the NCAA record for consecutive wins by earning his 26th straight victory as the Demon Deacons downed Duke 11-1. Sleeth struck out 13 in his eight innings of work, allowing one run on seven hits. His bid to break the record fell short as Florida State defeated Wake Forest, 7-5, on April 4, 2003. A two-time All-American at Wake Forest, Sleeth was a finalist for the Golden Spikes award in 2003 after posting a 7-3 record and a 2.81 ERA. He tossed three complete games and struck out 102 batters in 96 innings pitched during the 2003 season.
3. September 24, 2002 - Seven Deacons Named to ACC 50th Anniversary Team
Seven former Wake Forest baseball players were named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Team. Wake Forest ranked third among all ACC schools in the number of players selected to the team. The former Demon Deacons that were selected include Jake Austin (1989-1992), Tommy Gregg (1982-1985), Mike MacDougal (1997-1999), Bill Merrifield (1981-1983), Jon Palmieri (1996-1999), Billy Scripture (1962-1964) and Brick Smith (1978-1981).
2. May 20, 2001 - Wake Forest Wins 2001 ACC Title
Wake Forest won its third ACC title in the last four seasons with a 17-4 thumping of NC State. Cory Sullivan led off the championship game with a home run and the Demon Deacons never looked back. In the title game, Sullivan was 3-for-3 with two homers, five RBIs and three runs scored. He also earned the pitching victory, throwing eight innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. Reliever Dave Bush was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after appearing in four games and compiling a 1-0 record with two saves. Freshman Jamie D'Antona was named a freshman All-American by Baseball Weekly, while Sullivan was named a second-team All-American.
1. May 11, 2008 - End of an Era at Gene Hooks Stadium
It was the end of an era as Wake Forest closed the books on Gene Hooks Stadium with a 9-4 victory over Duke. Wake Forest commemorated the final weekend at its home facility by honoring the stadium's namesake, Dr. Hooks, in a pre-game ceremony before Saturday's game. Hooks, who spent 42 years at the University as a player, coach, faculty member and athletics director, was presented with a Wake Forest jersey bearing his name and an engraved bat to commemorate the historic date. The Deacs closed out the stadium in style, posting wins in each of their last six home games. In 28 seasons at Hooks Stadium, Wake Forest posted a 510-229-3 record.
