Deacs Battle Back to Beat Czech Republic National Team
10/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeBaseball)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest baseball team erased a four-run seventh-inning deficit, battling back to defeat the Czech Republic National Team, 8-7, at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park on Sunday afternoon.
The 7-8-9 hitters, Johnny Aiello, Keegan Maronpot and Jonathan Pryor, had two hits apiece and combined for four RBIs and four runs scored, while Will Craig also went 2-for-3 with a walk and tallied the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Aiello was hit by a pitch and Maronpot singled. Pryor's RBI single got past the right fielder to bring home a second run, and he scored on a Ryan Morse RBI groundout to cut the margin to 7-6.
In the eighth, Bruce Steel singled and stole second, scoring on an Aaron Smith single into right field. Aiello knocked in what proved to be the game-winner on a bloop double as Wake Forest moved ahead, 8-7.
Craig recorded a strikeout, groundout and flyout to end the game and pick up the save, while Donnie Sellers worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning as he earned the win. John McCarren also tossed a scoreless inning in relief.
Czech Republic was led by Jakub Hajtmar (2-for-4, walk, RBI) and Jakub Milak (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs).
Wake Forest closes out the fall with the annual Black & Gold World Series. Game 1 is set for Oct. 6 at 4:30 p.m., Game 2 is Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m., and Game 3 is Oct. 11 at noon.
