Wake Forest University
Western Carolina
Wake Forest Offense Erupts in Doubleheader Sweep
2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
George Mason Stats | WCU Stats | George Mason Stats (PDF) 
| WCU Stats (PDF)
By Jay Garneau, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeBaseball)
WILMINGTON, N.C. - Wake Forest's offense erupted for 19 runs and 28 hits, leading the Demon Deacons to a doubleheader sweep over George Mason, 9-3, and Western Carolina, 10-2.
Will Craig sparked Wake Forest's (4-2) offensive output, finishing the day 6-for-9 with a double, six RBIs and three runs scored.
The 19 runs scored in a doubleheader is most since putting up a combined 26 runs on Akron and Old Dominion in 2009.
Wake Forest's bullpen also had a strong day, combining to allow one run in 8.0 innings of work over the two games.
NOTE: Wake Forest's game tomorrow against UNCW has been moved to approximately 2:30 p.m., following the day's first game at 11 a.m.
Wake Forest 9, George Mason 3
Joey Rodriguez, Craig, Ben Breazeale and Drew Freedman recorded three hits apiece to lead the Demon Deacons over George Mason (1-3) at Legion Stadium, home of the Wilmington Sharks.
Rodriguez had a breakout game, finishing 3-for-4 with a homer, double, two RBIs and three runs scored, also stealing a base.
Freedman and Keegan Maronpot recorded their first career hits in the winning effort.
The Patriots scored the first run of the game, but Wake Forest answered back with seven consecutive runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead in the fourth inning.
Matt Pirro improved to 2-0 this season, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) over 5.0 innings, striking out seven batters.
John McCarren, Garrett Kelly and Donnie Sellers combined to shut the door on a George Mason comeback.
Wake Forest 10, Western Carolina 2
After neither team recorded a hit in the first three innings at Brooks Field, it was the Wake Forest offense that put the first dent in the scoreboard with a three-run fifth inning.
Not having stolen five bases in a game as a team since 2012, six different Demon Deacons swiped bags to keep pressure on the WCU (2-3) defense all night.
Craig again carried the offense with three hits and RBIs, while Jonathan Pryor, Stuart Fairchild and Justin Yurchak also chipped in multi-hit games.
Parker Dunshee was again stellar on the mound, surrendering just two unearned runs in 5.0 innings, fanning eight batters while allowing just two hits. He has yet to give up an earned run this season.
McCarren and Paul Kirkpatrick each tossed 2.0 scoreless frames to seal the Demon Deacon victory.
LOADING UP THE BASEPATHS
• As a team, Wake Forest has a .413 on-base percentage, which would match the program record.
• Stuart Fairchild (.609), Will Craig (.593), Jonathan Pryor (.571) and Justin Yurchak (.533) have all gotten on base in more than half of their plate appearances.
FRESH SET OF WHEELS
• Last year, Wake Forest swept 38 bags, less than half of what it relented to its opponents (77).
• This season, Wake Forest is averaging nearly two steals per game, currently sitting at 11-of-12.
• The newcomers have been perfect so far, including Stuart Fairchild (3-of-3), Bruce Steel (1-of-1) and Justin Yurchak (1-of-1).
MONDOU STILL STREAKING
• Nate Mondou increased his hitting streak to 10 games dating back to last season, going 3-for-8 on the day.
• In the nightcap, his streak came down to his last at bat, in which he drilled an RBI single to right field in the seventh inning.
ON DECK
• Wake Forest closes out the weekend against UNC Wilmington tomorrow at around 2:30 p.m., following the first game which begins at 11 a.m. The Deacons will then return home for a nonconference contest against Appalachian State on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
