Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest Falls to Virginia Tech 9-3
4/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 8, 2011
Final Stats | Final Stats (PDF) 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest scored three runs in the bottom of the last inning but could not complete the comeback, as Virginia Tech defeated the Demon Deacons 9-3 Friday evening at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
The Hokies are now .500 on the year with a 16-16 overall record and improve to 2-11 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Wake Forest is now 11-19 overall and 4-9 in the ACC.
The Demon Deacons had nine hits, drew five walks and had a player get hit by a pitch, but Virginia Tech pitched well in scoring situations and stranded 11 Wake Forest base runners.
Matt Conway and Mac Williamson each accounted for two hits, as both players went 2-for-4 on the night. Conway added a double, an RBI and a walk, while Williamson was hit by a pitch.
The Hokies performed very well at the plate with 18 hits, including a 4-for-5 night from shortstop Tim Smalling and three hits apiece from second baseman Michael Seaborn, center fielder Tony Balisteri and right fielder Gabe Ortiz.
Tim Cooney pitched 6.2 innings for Wake Forest and took the loss to fall to 3-2. He struck out six batters but gave up 11 hits and four earned runs. Virginia Tech's Joe Mantiply improves to 3-5 after throwing six innings of scoreless baseball.
Wake Forest had several opportunities but left runners on base in eight of the nine innings, including five runners stranded in scoring position.
The Hokies kept pressure on Wake Forest throughout the game and scored one run in the second, third, fifth and seventh innings. Virginia Tech then exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth to take a commanding 9-0 lead with just six outs remaining for Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons finally broke through and scored three in the ninth. Charlie Morgan pinch hit to lead off the inning and doubled to left center. Morgan then moved to third on a ground out by James Harris.
Pat Blair and Mark Rhine drew consecutive walks to load the bases and bring Steven Brooks to the plate. The senior center fielder produced Wake's first run with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Morgan and moving Blair to third.
With Conway at the plate, Brandon Fisher balked to bring Blair home and move Rhine to second. Three pitches later, Conway singled to right center on a 2-0 count to bring home Rhine and complete the Deacon scoring.
Wake Forest and Virginia Tech will play Game 2 of the three-game series tomorrow at Wake Forest Baseball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:06 p.m.
