Wake Forest University
Northeastern
Wake Forest Baseball Set to Open Season Versus Northeastern
2/15/2021 1:24:00 PM | Baseball
The No. 17 Demon Deacons welcome Northeastern for a three-game set on Feb. 19-21
| Game Notes |
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 17 Wake Forest will begin the 2021 baseball season with a three-game home series against Northeastern at David F. Couch Ballpark on Feb. 19-21.
In the first ever matchup between the two programs, the Deacs (0-0) will hit the diamond for the first time in 345 days (March 11, 2020) against the Huskies (0-0) on Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.
Saturday's contest is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET and will air on ACC Network. The third and final game on Sunday is set for a 1:00 p.m. ET start on ACC Network Extra.
Additionally, fans can tune into a streaming broadcast through the Wake Forest Athletics app.
Stay tuned to the Demon Deacons social media accounts (WakeBaseball) for all in-game updates and information.
POSITIONAL RETURNERS READY TO CONTRIBUTE
The Deacs will lean on their experience in 2021 as this year's roster is composed of 12 positional returners.
Chris Lanzilli, Bobby Seymour and Shane Muntz have excelled in the middle of the batting order for the last three campaigns and will look to again lead Wake Forest's offensive punch.
Seymour heads into his fourth season in Winston-Salem as the reigning ACC Player of the Year after posting 92 RBIs in 2019, the most since Buster Posey 11 years prior. That same season, Lanzilli took home All-American honors after batting .347 with 67 RBIs and 16 home runs, while Muntz finished with the highest OPS percentage in the ACC.
Among other Deacs looking to contribute coming off last year's shortened season include Brendan Tinsman, Michael Ludowig, Michael Turconi and Pierce Bennett.
Outfielders Derek Crum and Adam Cecere head into their second year in the Old Gold and Black after a promising start to their freshman season in 2020.
PITCHING STAFF FULL OF DEPTH AND VELOCITY
Head coach Tom Walter stated that the program's "pitching depth is better than ever before" as the staff consists of nine arms coming back. In addition, the Deacs have brought velocity off the mound with 11 pitchers touching at least 95 miles per hour throughout the preseason.
Ryan Cusick, Antonio Menendez and William Fleming possess the most experience on the Deacs' pitching staff, posting 17 wins and 282 strikeouts over 135 career games.
Eric Adler, Shane Smith and Brennen Oxford also return after receiving experience during last year's shortened season.
HIGHLY-TOUTED NEWCOMERS
The Deacs will look to bolster their experienced group with 16 new members of the program. The group is expected to contribute immediately for the Deacs and was ranked No. 19 in D1 Baseball's top recruiting classes, led by the likes of Brock Wilken, Camden Minacci and Teddy McGraw.
ATTENDANCE & EVENT INFORMATION
In compliance with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Wake Forest Athletics has worked diligently to develop plans and protocols for game day operations that meet or exceed the standards of local and state health authorities and enable us to ensure safety for all student-athletes and fans.
Attendance is currently limited to a very small number of guests, primarily parents and family members of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and guests of the program. Because of capacity limitations set by NCDHHS, at this time tickets are not for sale to the general public.
All attendees inside David F. Couch Ballpark are required to wear an approved personal face covering at all times once they leave their vehicle and are advised to practice social distancing by maintaining a six-foot distance between people outside of their group. This will occur in parking lots, queue lines and common spaces. Where social distancing cannot be observed, strict PPE and personal hygiene requirements will be enforced.
Wake Forest Athletics will continue to follow the state's guidance to promote a culture of safety for its student-athletes, coaches, staff and the entire University and Winston-Salem community.
Please check GoDeacs.com and social media for all the latest news and information surrounding WF Athletics.
UP NEXT
The Deacs continue their homestand on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at The Couch against Coastal Carolina at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Atlantic Coast Conference play opens against Notre Dame on Feb. 26-28 in Winston-Salem.
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