Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
High Point
Wake Forest Baseball Drops Home Opener, 16-15
2/22/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2012
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest baseball team had big innings in the beginning and in the end, but it wasn't enough as the Demon Deacons dropped a 16-15 decision to High Point in their 2012 home opener at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park on Wednesday.
The Deacs collected seven runs on five hits in the bottom of the first, chasing High Point starter Jared Avidon before the righty could record an out. In the team's final at-bat, Wake Forest pushed across five more - on three walks and two wild pitches - to come back from a 16-10 deficit as High Point's Jaime Schultz struggled with his command.
Ultimately, Wake Forest fell just one run short as Schultz fanned second baseman Conor Keniry to end the game. With the loss, the Deacs dropped to 1-4 overall on the young season. HPU improves to 4-1.
Keniry led the way on offense, putting together a 3-for-5 night with three RBIs and three runs scored. Sophomore right fielder James Harris also had a three hit night, while junior shortstop Pat Blair crossed the plate three times and rapped out two hits.
Blair opened up the game with a single to short before Keniry followed with a hit by pitch. Avidon then surrendered a walk to Deacon center fielder Mac Williamson to load up the bases. Back-to-back singles by Lopez and Charlie Morgan scored the first pair of runs for Wake and Keniry crossed next on a walk by freshman designated hitter Matt Martin.
Harris then poked a single through the right side of the infield to make it a 4-0 game and was followed by a sacrifice fly by Mark Rhine. Kevin Jordan, in his first home at-bat, followed with a run scoring fielder's choice. Keniry rounded out the scoring with a single up the middle to score Jordan two batters later.
Trailing 7-1, HPU wasted no time getting back into the game and pushed across six runs in the top half of the second to immediately even the score.
It was all quiet for the third and fourth innings until the Panthers tacked on three runs in the top of the fifth. A two out single by Sal Pezzino would have brought in an 11th run, but Jordan made a strong throw from left field to nail HPU's Zach Hubbard at the plate.
The Panthers would add another four runs in the top of the seventh to increase their advantage to 14-7, but the Deacs would push back and plated three in the bottom of the inning.
Rhine began the rally with a walk and was followed by Blair, who was hit by a pitch to set the table. Keniry followed with another clutch hit, plating both with a double to left-center. Lopez then got the Deacs into double digits with a sacrifice fly, but Wake Forest would end the inning trailing by four.
In the bottom of the ninth, Wake Forest's first three reached before Lopez drew a walk to make it a 16-11 game. Three walks and two wild pitches later, the Deacs were down one before Schultz closed the door.
The Demon Deacons will play three games this weekend as part of the Wake Forest Invitational presented by Hilton Garden Inn Winston-Salem/Hanes Mall. WFU will play UMBC on Friday at 6 p.m., Cincinnati on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Georgetown on Sunday at 4 p.m.
All three games will be streamed live on WakeForestSports.com. Be sure to follow the Wake Forest baseball team on Twitter @WFUBaseball for all updates concerning the team.
