Wake Forest University
Coastal Carolina
No. 2 Wake Forest Opens Five-Game Road Swing at Coastal Carolina
3/6/2023 12:10:00 PM | Baseball
The Demon Deacons are off to the program’s second-ever 13-0 start, outscoring opponents 158-27 to open the new season. The Demon Deacons head into its third midweek game as the only team in the nation with 13 victories.
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CONWAY, S.C. – Off to the program's second ever 13-0 start, the No. 2 Wake Forest baseball team opens a five-game road trip on Tuesday, March 7 at Coastal Carolina, marking the team's second road game of the 2023 campaign.
Wake Forest has started 13-0 for just the second time in program history, joining the 1949 Deacs, who hold the program's best open to a campaign at 20-0, as the only teams in school history to win its first 13 games.
The Demon Deacons head into its third midweek game as the only team in the nation with 13 victories.
Additionally, Wake Forest is 38-4 against non-ACC competition over the last two seasons, outscoring opponents 419-142 in those games.
Wake Forest has used all-around team performances to fuel its perfect start, outscoring opponents 158-27 to open the new campaign. Wake Forest is batting .348 as a team and holds a team ERA of just 1.80 with 178 strikeouts and 27 walks in 13 games.
The first contest of the home-and-home between the Deacs and Chanticleers is slated for a 4 p.m. first pitch inside Springs Brooks Stadium.
The game can be streamed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription. Additionally, fans can tune into an audio streaming broadcast through the Wake Forest Athletics app for all three games.
Stay tuned to the Demon Deacons social media accounts (@WakeBaseball) for all in-game updates and information.
Opponent & Series History
The Deacs trail the all-time series against the Chanticleers by a mark of 26-18. Last season, Wake Forest and Coastal Carolina split the home-and-home non-conference series.
Deacs in the Polls
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No. 2- Collegiate Baseball
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No. 3- Perfect Game
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No. 4- USA Today Coaches Poll
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No. 5- D1Baseball
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No. 6- Baseball America
Wake Forest Honors
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ACC Player of the Week (Feb. 27)
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ACC Player of the Week (Feb. 20)
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D1 Baseball Player of the Week (Feb. 20)
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Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (Feb. 20)
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Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
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D1Baseball First Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Second Team Preseason All-America
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Baseball America Third Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Preseason All-ACC
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Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
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Collegiate Baseball First Team Preseason All-America
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D1Baseball First Team Preseason All-America
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NCBWA First Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game First Team Preseason All-America
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Baseball America First Team Preseason All-America
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D1Baseball Preseason ACC Pitcher of the Year
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Perfect Game Preseason ACC Pitcher of the Year
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Perfect Game Preseason All-ACC
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Perfect Game Third Team Preseason All-America
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Prospects Live Third Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Preseason All-ACC
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D1Baseball Third Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Third Team Preseason All-America
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ACC Player of the Week (Feb. 27)
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Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (Feb. 27)
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ACC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 20)
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Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (Feb. 20)
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Collegiate Baseball Second Team Preseason All-America
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NCBWA Second Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Second Team Preseason All-America
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Prospects Live Second Team Preseason All-America
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Baseball America Third Team Preseason All-America
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Perfect Game Preseason All-ACC
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For the First Time in 74 Years
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Wake Forest has now started 13-0 for just the second time in program history, joining the 1949 Deacs, who hold the program's best open to a campaign at 20-0, as the only teams in school history to win its first 13 games.
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Best Starts in Program History:
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- 13-0: 2023, 1949
- 14-0: 1949
- 15-0: 1949
- 16-0: 1949
- 17-0: 1949
- 18-0: 1949
-19-0: 1949
- 20-0: 1949
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Additionally, Wake Forest is 38-4 against non-ACC competition over the last two seasons, outscoring opponents 419-142 in those games.
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The Deacs continued to use all-around team performances to fuel its perfect start, outscoring opponents 158-27 to open the new campaign. Wake Forest is batting .348 as a team and holds a team ERA of just 1.80 with 178 strikeouts and 27 walks in 13 games.
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Wake Forest heads into its third midweek game as the only team in the country with 13 wins this season.
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Wake Forest's 13-straight wins this season is the longest winning streak overall since the Deacs won 15 in a row during the 2012 season.
Pitching and Defense Thriving Early
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Wake Forest's pitching staff has impressed in its first 13 games as 16 arms hit the mound throughout the opening slate. The Demon Deacon pitching staff leads the nation in hits per nine, strikeouts per nine and WHIP, while ranking first in the ACC in ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Category (Number) National ACC Hits Per Nine (5.17) 1 1 WHIP (.81) 1 1 Ks Per Nine (13.9) 1 1 K-BB Ratio (6.59) 2 1 ERA (1.80) 2 1 BB Per Nine (2.11) 6 2 -
Wake Forest has fanned double-digit batters in 10 of its first 13 games this season and have held opponents to one run or less in six games. Overall as a staff, the Deacs have averaged 13.7 strikeouts per game this season while averaging just over two walks per game.
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Last weekend, Wake Forest starting pitchers combined to throw 25 innings, allowing just one earned run and one walk with 37 strikeouts.
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Defensively, the Deacs have committed just four errors (two catcher's interference and two fielding) as their .991 fielding percentage is second in the ACC.
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Three Deacs sit in the top five of the ACC in strikeouts:
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Sean Sullivan (first): 31 Ks
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Josh Hartle (first): 31 Ks
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Rhett Lowder (fifth): 26 Ks
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Rake Forest
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Wake Forest's offense has been on a tear to open the new season as the Deacs lead the nation in walks, on-base percentage and runs. Additionally, Wake Forest is the ACC leader in hits, home runs and scoring while ranking second in batting average and slugging percentage.
Category (Number) National ACC Walks (111) 1 1 On-Base % (.487) 1 1 Runs (158) 1 1 Hits (156) 2 1 Scoring (12.2) 2 1 HR (31) 3 1 Average (.348) 6 2 Slugging % (.623) 7 2
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Nine Deacs have launched a long fly, headlined by Brock Wilken with nine, which is second in the nation and the most in the ACC , Adam Cecere with seven, Nick Kurtz with five, Justin Johnson with three and Pierce Bennett and Danny Corona with two.
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Tommy Hawke capped off Wake Forest's eight-run first inning in Wake Forest's first midweek game of the season with the Demon Deacons' first inside-the-park home run since 2016.
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Wake Forest's comeback victory against Youngstown State was fueled by 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the most runs in an inning since the top of the fifth in last year's 18-5 victory at Georgia Tech on March 19.
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Overall, Wake Forest has 13 players sporting an on-base percentage higher than .400 while seven Deacs have notched at double-digit hits.
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Wake Forest has reached double-digit hits in eight of its first 13 games while scoring at least 15 runs in five contests.
Point Differential Driving Deacs Success
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Wake Forest has outscored opponents by double-digits in six innings this season. The Deacs have only had an offensive opportunity in the ninth against UNC Greensboro on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
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Wake Forest Scoring Summary by Inning (Wake Forest-Opponent)
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First Inning: 33-5
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Second Inning: 18-1
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Third Inning: 20-3
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Fourth Inning: 27-3
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Fifth Inning: 24-5
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Sixth Inning: 10-1
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Seventh Inning: 8-1
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Eighth Inning: 17-5
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Ninth Inning: 1-2
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Wake Forest's 131-point differential is the largest mark through 13 games in Coach Walter's 14-year tenure and is believed to be the largest differential through 13 games in program history.
Hawke 'Em
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After leading the team with the fourth-highest batting average by a freshman in program history (.380) last year, Tommy Hawke has continued to be impactful at the top of Wake Forest's lineup. Through 13 games, Hawke leads the Deacs with a conference-leading 25 runs, a .531 batting average (third in ACC) and 26 hits (second in ACC).
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Hawke also ranks in the top five among conference competitors in on-base percentage (second), walks (third) and doubles (10th).
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Dating back to last season, Hawke has a 44-game reached base streak and 12-game hit streak after going 3-3 with two singles, a double, three runs scored and two stolen bases on Sunday against the Big Red.
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After registering two hits in Wake Forest's Sunday doubleheader during opening weekend, Hawke went a perfect 3-3 with four runs scored, three RBIs and an inside-the-park home run, the first by a Demon Deacon since 2016.
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In Wake Forest's 18-1 victory against Towson on Saturday, Hawke notched a career-high five hits.
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Last season, Hawke finished with the fourth-most hits by a Wake Forest freshman ever (71). In addition to his team-best average, Hawke led the team in on-base percentage (.502) and stolen bases (eight).
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Hawke excelled against conference opponents, ending the regular season with the second-highest batting average (.406) and on-base percentage (.525) in the ACC during conference play.
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Hawke was recognized as a Freshman All-American by Baseball America and landed on the ACC's All-Freshman Team.
Mascolo's Midweek Magic
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Reed Mascolo has made impactful starts during midweek competition over his three seasons in a Demon Deacon uniform, amassing a 13-2 record in games he has started. The redshirt junior has given up less than two earned runs in 10 of those matchups and has struckout at least three batters in 10 outings.
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This season, Mascolo has a 2-0 record with a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 innings. The righthander has struck out nine batters while just walking two.
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Mascolo earned his second win of the 2023 season in Wake Forest's 8-6 win as he pitched 4.2 innings and punched out three. The redshirt junior retired 10-straight batters, highlighted by back-to-back three-up, three-down innings in the third and fourth.
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In his first midweek start against UNC Greensboro, Mascolo retired the first six batters he faced and tallied three three-up, three-down innings through his five frames of work to earn the win. Overall, Mascolo allowed just two hits and one walk while fanning three.
Nicky Nukes
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After one of the greatest seasons by a Wake Forest freshman in school history, Nick Kurtz impressed during the first weekend of the season as the sophomore earned the first ACC Player of the Week honors of his career.
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Kurtz led Wake Forest at the plate in its perfect 4-0 opening weekend with a team-high tying .500 batting average to go along with a team-high tying six hits, team-high tying four home runs, team-best 10 RBIs and team-best eight runs scored.
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Additionally, Kurtz led the team with a 1.500 slugging percentage, seven walks and .684 on-base percentage.
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In Wake Forest's season opener, Kurtz broke the game open with a grand slam in the second inning before pushing Wake Forest's advantage to 8-0 after another long fly to right field in the bottom of the fourth to tie his career high of two home runs while adding five RBIs total.
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In Wake Forest's 8-1 win versus Illinois on Saturday, Kurtz hit another home run while going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one walk. Kurtz was a catalyst in the Deacs' Sunday Sweep.
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In game one against Youngstown State, Kurtz was walked three times and scored one run. In the second game of the twin bill, Kurtz went 2-for-3 with a home run (fourth of the season), three RBIs, two walks and two runs scored.
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Overall, Kurtz ranks in the top 10 of the ACC in home runs (seventh) and walks (10th).
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Kurtz's historic freshman season in 2022 included being named a Freshman All-American by D1Baseball, Perfect Game, Baseball America, the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball while also garnering Third Team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
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Kurtz posted one of the best freshman seasons in program history.
Category Number Rank Runs Scored 65 T-1st Home Runs 15 T-2nd Walks 48 2nd RBIs 56 T-2nd Hits 69 5th Doubles 14 T-9th
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Overall, Kurtz finished second on the Deacs with 48 walks, a .637 slugging percentage and a .471 on-base percentage while also finishing third in home runs and fourth with a .338 batting average and 130 bases.
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Much like teammate Tommy Hawke, Kurtz dominated against conference opponents, leading the ACC with a .422 batting average and .548 on-base percentage in conference play. Additionally, the first baseman also posted the second-highest OPS (1.254) and fifth-highest slugging percentage (.706) against ACC foes.
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Kurtz registered a historic day at the plate in Wake Forest's 27-7 victory against Georgia Tech, becoming the first Wake Forest batter since 2005 to record six hits in a game. This sits as the second most hits in program history and the most by a Wake Forest freshman ever. Kurtz also posted a career-high six RBIs in the 20-run win as well.
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Kurtz needs just 19 more base knocks to tally 100 career hits.
Wilken Looks to Climb Charts
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After setting career highs in hits (69). home runs (23), RBIs (77) and doubles (13) in 2022, Brock Wilken looks to cement himself as one of the best hitters in Wake Forest history this season.
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With his ninth home run of the season on Sunday, Wilken has launched a long fly in seven of Wake Forest's last nine games. The Valrico, Fla. native is second nationally in home runs and the career home runs among active players in Division I baseball.
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After hitting the most home runs by a Demon Deacon in their first two seasons ever, Wilken has hit 49 home runs in his career, which moved the junior into a tie for the third-most career home runs by a Demon Deacon ever with Allan Dykstra.
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Wake Forest Career Home Runs
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1. Jamie D'Antona 2001-03 58
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2. Jake Austin 1989-92 55
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3. Brock Wilken 2021-Pres. 49
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Allan Dykstra 2006-08 49
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5. Chris Kowilcik 1989-92 47
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Kevin Bunn 1981-84 47
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Brick Smith 1978-81 47
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8. Bill Merrifield 1981-83 45
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9. Dave Lardieri 1994-97 42
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Wilken has been patient at the plate as the junior ranks in the top 10 of the ACC with 11 walks. Wilken has drawn two walks in three of Wake Forest's first 13 games.
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Wilken needs 62 more base knocks to join the 200-hit club.
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His 23 home runs in 2022 rank second by a Demon Deacon in a single season and his 77 RBIs tied for the seventh-most in a single campaign.
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Wilken registered his 100th career hit in just his 91st career game against Longwood on April 30, 2022
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The Valrico, Fla. native notched 22 multi-hit games while posting 18 multi-RBI games last season. Additionally, Wilken drove in five or more runs in four games, highlighted by a career day against Louisville with three home runs and eight RBIs
Certified Stopper Camden Minacci
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A staple out of Wake Forest's bullpen the last two seasons, Camden Minacci earned the second save of his junior season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout to secure the win.
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Over the course of his career, Minacci has registered 10 saves as the Tampa, Fla. native moved into the top 10 in Wake Forest history for career saves, tying current student assistant coach and 2016 first round pick Will Craig.
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Most Saves by a Demon Deacon
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1. Dave Bush 1999-02 38
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2. Michael Dimock 2009-12 19
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3. Keith Ksansnak 1983-86 17
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4. Ben Hunter 2006-08 16
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Bret Wagner 1992-94 16
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Buddy Jenkins 1987-91 16
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7. Frank Humber 1986-89 15
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8. Chuck Irving 1976-77 12
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Aaron Fossas 2012-16 12
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10. Camden Minacci 2021-pres. 10
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Will Craig 2014-16 10
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In 2022, the Tampa, Fla. native made 30 appearances out of the bullpen, which was tied for the most on squad, and tossed a career-high 45.1 innings with a career-high 59 strikeouts, good for third on the team, and an ERA of 2.18, the lowest on the Demon Deacons.
On Deck
The Deacs open conference play with a three-game series against Big-Four rival Duke inside Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham on March 10-12.
Friday's series opener is slated for a 4 p.m. start. Following the first conference contest of the season, the Deacs and Blue Devils will hit the diamond in game two at 3 p.m. on Saturday before wrapping up the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
All three games will be broadcasted on ACC Network Extra.
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