Wake Forest Athletics
Baseball Game Notes - Wake Forest vs. Western Carolina
2/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 21, 2011
The Wake Forest baseball team will look to get its first win of the season in the team's home opener against Western Carolina on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Catamounts will be looking to remain undefeated after sweeping Morehead State in a three-game series over the weekend.
Admission to the game will be free for all fans, as Wake Forest will be honoring head coach Tom Walter before the game for his kidney donation to freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan.
The Demon Deacons just returned to Winston-Salem after playing three road games against national-power LSU in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers swept the series 15-4, 4-3 and 9-1.
Sophomores Mark Rhine and Matt Conway led the way offensively for the Demon Deacons, as both players hit .300 or better during the weekend. Rhine led the way with a .333 average (3-for-9) and is currently riding a career-best 12-game hitting streak. Conway hit .300 (3-for-10), drew two walks and had four of Wake Forest's seven RBI against the Tigers.
Saturday's starter, sophomore LHP Tim Cooney, had the most impressive outing, going 6.1 innings and giving up just three earned runs to the potent Tiger offense.
Junior LHP Zach White will get the start for Wake Forest. White appeared in Game 1 against LSU and pitched a scoreless inning of work, striking out one batter. WCU will be starting senior RHP Matt Benedict who has yet to see action this season.
White was one of five Deacon relievers to throw at least one inning of scoreless baseball at LSU. Sophomore Brian Holmes did not allow a hit in 1.2 innings, while sophomore Daniel Marrs and freshmen Chris Willson and John McLeod all went an inning without giving up a run.
Freshman Conor Keniry had a solid weekend off the bench for Wake Forest, as he went 2-for-3 with a walk and played error-free baseball in four chances at second base. As a team, Wake Forest had fewer errors (5) than the Tigers did (6) in the three games.
The Deacs also had success on the base paths, stealing four bases on five attempts. Sophomore Mac Williamson was a perfect 2-for-2, while Rhine and senior Ryan Lloyd each stole a base as well.
Next Up...
Wake Forest will continue its extensive homestand with a game on five straight days from Feb. 25 - Mar. 1. The Demon Deacons will be hosting Minnesota (2/25), Northwestern (2/26), Georgetown (2/27), West Virginia (2/28) and UNC-Greensboro (3/1) during that stretch. Towson and Delaware State will also be in town to take part in the 6-team weekend from Feb. 25-27.
