Saturday, April 15
Louisville, KY
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Wake Forest University
31-4, 14-2
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25-9, 7-7
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Wake Forest
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No. 2 Deacs Shutout No. 8 Louisville to Claim Sixth ACC Series
4/15/2023 5:06:00 PM | Baseball
Jump started by seven strong innings from Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest clinched its first series ever in Louisville on Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Behind a shutout performance on the mound from Rhett Lowder, Michael Massey and Camden Minacci , the No. 2 Wake Forest baseball team secured its sixth ACC series of the season with a 3-0 victory over No. 8 Louisville on Saturday inside Jim Patterson Stadium.
After defeating the Cardinals (25-9, 7-7 ACC), 11-5, in the series opener on Friday night, the Demon Deacons (31-4, 14-2 ACC) claimed its first series victory at Louisville ever. Additionally, Wake Forest became the first team since 2021 to win a series at Jim Patterson Stadium.
At the conclusion of Saturday's game, the Demon Deacons were the only team in the country with 31 wins while owning the ACC's best conference record (.875).
In addition to claiming its sixth ACC series of the season, the shutout victory increased Wake Forest's current ACC win streak to 10 games. Over the course of the streak, Wake Forest is outscoring opponents by a mark of 63-25.
Lowder moved to 7-0 on the season, blanking the Cardinals over seven innings with nine strikeouts. Lowder allowed just five base runners as the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year notched his second outing of the season with no walks.
The Albemarle, N.C. native registered perfect frames in the second, fourth, sixth and allowed more than one base runner in just one inning.
The win helped Lowder move into the top 10 in program history in career victories, tying Warren Newton and Moe Bauer for the ninth-most victories by a Demon Deacon ever.
Additionally, after joining the top 10 list for career strikeouts two weeks ago, Lowder moved up into a tie with Ross Atkins for the seventh-most career strikeouts by a Demon Deacon.
Michael Massey kept the momentum going on the bump in the eighth, retiring the Cardinals in order with two strikeouts and a fly out.
Camden Minacci slammed the door in the ninth to clinch the victory and his ninth save of the season.
Offensively, Bennett Lee and Justin Johnson launched solo home runs in back-to-back innings before Johnson drove in another run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fifth.
In addition to his second homer of the season, Lee led the Deacs with a season-high three hits.
How It Happened
"A big time win. Louisville doesn't lose very often at home. This was their first series loss since 2021. That says something about our ball club. It also says something about the different ways we can win too. Yesterday we win with the bats. Today we win with our pitching. We didn't walk anybody, which I thought was the key to the game. I thought the at-bat of the game was in the fifth inning when Rhett gets the punch out of Christian Knapczyk, who's as good a hitter as there is in this league, and he gets us two more zeroes after that one. Minacci and Massey were really good out of the pen.
"We did just enough offensively. I felt like we wasted a couple chances. Bases loaded with Lucas up in a big situation. Pierce up in a big situation. We just couldn't punch anymore across, but again, we did enough to win, which is the most important thing."
Standout Stats
At the conclusion of Saturday's game, the Demon Deacons were the only team in the country with 31 wins while owning the ACC's best conference record (.875).
Over its current 10-game conference win streak, Wake Forest is outscoring opponents by a mark of 63-25.
Wake Forest has outscored opponents by double-digits in eight innings this season.
Wake Forest Scoring Summary by Inning (Wake Forest-Opponent)
Much of Wake Forest's success has been fast starts as the Deacs have outscored opponents by a mark of 134-36 in the opening three innings.
In the Spotlight
Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder earned his seventh win of 2023 and the 22nd victory of his career after blanking the Cardinals over seven innings with nine strikeouts. Lowder allowed just five base runners as the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year notched his second outing of the season with no walks.
The Albemarle, N.C. native notched perfect frames in the second, fourth, sixth and allowed more than one base runner in just one inning.
The shutout performance helped Lowder move into the top 10 in program history in career wins, tying Warren Newton and Moe Bauer for the ninth-most victories by a Demon Deacon ever.
Wake Forest Career Wins
1. John Hendricks (1996-99)- 34
2. Kyle Sleeth (2001-03)- 31
3. Frank Humber (1986-89)- 29
4. Parker Dunshee (2014-17)- 28
5. Scott Siemon (1998-01)- 25
Mike MacDougal (1997-99)- 25
7. Marc Palmieri (1990-93)- 24
8. Eric Schmitt (1997-00)- 23
9. Rhett Lowder (2021-Pres.)- 22
Warren Newton (1978-81)-22
Moe Bauer (1947-50)- 22
After joining the top 10 list for career strikeouts two weeks ago, the Albemarle, N.C. native moved up into a tie with Ross Atkins for the seventh-most strikeouts by a Demon Deacon ever.
Wake Forest Career Strikeouts
1. Parker Dunshee 2014-17 330
2. John Hendricks1996-99 312
3. Mike MacDougal1997-99 288
4. Buddy Jenkins 1987-91 277
5. Kyle Sleeth 2001-03 271
6. Frank Humber 1986-89 266
7. Rhett Lowder 2021-Pres 250
Ross Atkins 1992-95 250
8. Dave Bush 1999-02 249
10. Tim Cooney 2010-12 235
Mike Buddie 1990-92 235
Dating back to last season, Lowder has allowed three earned runs or less in 23 of his last 25 starts and has gone at least six innings in 16 starts.
This season, the Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year has accumulated a 1.61 ERA in 56.0 innings to go along with 67 strikeouts.
The righthander has blanked opponents four times this season, while walking no more than two batters in any start this year.
Over the course of his career, Lowder is 3-0 against the Cardinals, allowing two earned runs with 27 strikeouts in 20 innings.
During his freshman season in 2021, Lowder picked up his first collegiate win against Louisville in the series finale, tossing seven scoreless innings with seven Ks and just three hits allowed.
Last year, Lowder went six innings (five scoreless), striking out a career-high tying 11 batters while allowing just two runs and conceding just one walk. Lowder's first strikeout of that game in the first inning marked his 150th career strikeout.
A staple out of Wake Forest's bullpen the last two seasons, Camden Minacci earned the ninth save of his junior season after inducing the final three outs of Sunday's series-clinching victory versus Louisville. The career-best mark leads the ACC and is tied for the nation's lead.
Additionally, the Tampa, Fla. native moved into a tie for the ninth-most saves in program history.
Wake Forest Baseball Single Season Saves
Most Saves by a Demon Deacon
The Deacs will look to post its fourth-straight perfect ACC weekend on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
After defeating the Cardinals (25-9, 7-7 ACC), 11-5, in the series opener on Friday night, the Demon Deacons (31-4, 14-2 ACC) claimed its first series victory at Louisville ever. Additionally, Wake Forest became the first team since 2021 to win a series at Jim Patterson Stadium.
At the conclusion of Saturday's game, the Demon Deacons were the only team in the country with 31 wins while owning the ACC's best conference record (.875).
In addition to claiming its sixth ACC series of the season, the shutout victory increased Wake Forest's current ACC win streak to 10 games. Over the course of the streak, Wake Forest is outscoring opponents by a mark of 63-25.
Lowder moved to 7-0 on the season, blanking the Cardinals over seven innings with nine strikeouts. Lowder allowed just five base runners as the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year notched his second outing of the season with no walks.
The Albemarle, N.C. native registered perfect frames in the second, fourth, sixth and allowed more than one base runner in just one inning.
The win helped Lowder move into the top 10 in program history in career victories, tying Warren Newton and Moe Bauer for the ninth-most victories by a Demon Deacon ever.
Additionally, after joining the top 10 list for career strikeouts two weeks ago, Lowder moved up into a tie with Ross Atkins for the seventh-most career strikeouts by a Demon Deacon.
Michael Massey kept the momentum going on the bump in the eighth, retiring the Cardinals in order with two strikeouts and a fly out.
Camden Minacci slammed the door in the ninth to clinch the victory and his ninth save of the season.
Offensively, Bennett Lee and Justin Johnson launched solo home runs in back-to-back innings before Johnson drove in another run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fifth.
In addition to his second homer of the season, Lee led the Deacs with a season-high three hits.
How It Happened
- Brock Wilken lasered a two-out double off the left field wall, but a pop up stranded the junior and ended the top of the first.
- Rhett Lowder responded with a zero of his own, striking out a pair and forcing a fielder's choice to open his ninth start of the season.
- Chris Katz worked a walk with one out in the top of the second, but a double play ended the frame.
- Bennett Lee launched a solo home run to lead off the third inning after working a full count to give Wake Forest a 1-0 lead.
- Wake Forest loaded the bases with one out as Marek Houston doubled, Tommy Hawke singled and Wilken drew a walk. A fly out and play at the plate ended the frame.
- Lowder stranded a runner in scoring position for a shutdown inning in the bottom of the third.
- After inducing groundouts to the opening batters of the inning on just seven pitches, Louisville advanced to third on a double and fielding error.
- Undaunted, Lowder induced a groundout to preserve Wake Forest's one-run lead.
- A Justin Johnson solo homer in the top of the fourth doubled the Demon Deacon advantage (2-0).
- Lowder notched another shutdown inning to end the frame, fanning the opening batter before forcing back-to-back groundouts.
- The Deacs capitalized on another bases-loaded opportunity, increasing its lead to 3-0 as Johnson was hit by a pitch.
- Hawke walked before Lucas Costello lined a single to center field. Bennett was also hit by a pitch before Johnson was plunked and drove in his second run of the game.
- Lowder once again answered with a scoreless inning following a Wake Forest run, stranding a pair with his seventh punch out of the game.
- Lowder also fanned a batter to open the inning.
- Lee singled with one out in the top of the sixth, but a fly out and runner caught stealing ended the half inning.
- Lowder retired the side on just six pitches in the bottom of the sixth as Wake Forest continued to lead 3-0.
- After a base hit opened up the bottom of the seventh, Lowder made a batter miss for his ninth strikeout of the game before inducing a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.
- Michael Massey took over on the mound in the bottom of the eighth and notched a perfect 1-2-3 inning, fanning the opening batters of the frame before inducing a fly out for the third and final out.
- Lee produced a bunt single, his third hit of the game, with one out in the top of the ninth before Hawke walked with two outs. A fly out ended Wake Forest's final offensive opportunity.
- Camden Minacci secured the series-clinching victory in the ninth, stranding a runner on first with a strikeout and ground out.
- This marked the ninth save of the season for the junior.
"A big time win. Louisville doesn't lose very often at home. This was their first series loss since 2021. That says something about our ball club. It also says something about the different ways we can win too. Yesterday we win with the bats. Today we win with our pitching. We didn't walk anybody, which I thought was the key to the game. I thought the at-bat of the game was in the fifth inning when Rhett gets the punch out of Christian Knapczyk, who's as good a hitter as there is in this league, and he gets us two more zeroes after that one. Minacci and Massey were really good out of the pen.
"We did just enough offensively. I felt like we wasted a couple chances. Bases loaded with Lucas up in a big situation. Pierce up in a big situation. We just couldn't punch anymore across, but again, we did enough to win, which is the most important thing."
Standout Stats
At the conclusion of Saturday's game, the Demon Deacons were the only team in the country with 31 wins while owning the ACC's best conference record (.875).
Over its current 10-game conference win streak, Wake Forest is outscoring opponents by a mark of 63-25.
Wake Forest has outscored opponents by double-digits in eight innings this season.
Wake Forest Scoring Summary by Inning (Wake Forest-Opponent)
- First Inning: 60-10
- Second Inning: 26-13
- Third Inning: 48-12
- Fourth Inning: 49-13
- Fifth Inning: 53-21
- Sixth Inning: 23-5
- Seventh Inning: 26-6
- Eighth Inning: 32-16
- Ninth Inning: 5-9
Much of Wake Forest's success has been fast starts as the Deacs have outscored opponents by a mark of 134-36 in the opening three innings.
In the Spotlight
Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder earned his seventh win of 2023 and the 22nd victory of his career after blanking the Cardinals over seven innings with nine strikeouts. Lowder allowed just five base runners as the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year notched his second outing of the season with no walks.
The Albemarle, N.C. native notched perfect frames in the second, fourth, sixth and allowed more than one base runner in just one inning.
The shutout performance helped Lowder move into the top 10 in program history in career wins, tying Warren Newton and Moe Bauer for the ninth-most victories by a Demon Deacon ever.
Wake Forest Career Wins
1. John Hendricks (1996-99)- 34
2. Kyle Sleeth (2001-03)- 31
3. Frank Humber (1986-89)- 29
4. Parker Dunshee (2014-17)- 28
5. Scott Siemon (1998-01)- 25
Mike MacDougal (1997-99)- 25
7. Marc Palmieri (1990-93)- 24
8. Eric Schmitt (1997-00)- 23
9. Rhett Lowder (2021-Pres.)- 22
Warren Newton (1978-81)-22
Moe Bauer (1947-50)- 22
After joining the top 10 list for career strikeouts two weeks ago, the Albemarle, N.C. native moved up into a tie with Ross Atkins for the seventh-most strikeouts by a Demon Deacon ever.
Wake Forest Career Strikeouts
1. Parker Dunshee 2014-17 330
2. John Hendricks1996-99 312
3. Mike MacDougal1997-99 288
4. Buddy Jenkins 1987-91 277
5. Kyle Sleeth 2001-03 271
6. Frank Humber 1986-89 266
7. Rhett Lowder 2021-Pres 250
Ross Atkins 1992-95 250
8. Dave Bush 1999-02 249
10. Tim Cooney 2010-12 235
Mike Buddie 1990-92 235
Dating back to last season, Lowder has allowed three earned runs or less in 23 of his last 25 starts and has gone at least six innings in 16 starts.
This season, the Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year has accumulated a 1.61 ERA in 56.0 innings to go along with 67 strikeouts.
The righthander has blanked opponents four times this season, while walking no more than two batters in any start this year.
Over the course of his career, Lowder is 3-0 against the Cardinals, allowing two earned runs with 27 strikeouts in 20 innings.
During his freshman season in 2021, Lowder picked up his first collegiate win against Louisville in the series finale, tossing seven scoreless innings with seven Ks and just three hits allowed.
Last year, Lowder went six innings (five scoreless), striking out a career-high tying 11 batters while allowing just two runs and conceding just one walk. Lowder's first strikeout of that game in the first inning marked his 150th career strikeout.
A staple out of Wake Forest's bullpen the last two seasons, Camden Minacci earned the ninth save of his junior season after inducing the final three outs of Sunday's series-clinching victory versus Louisville. The career-best mark leads the ACC and is tied for the nation's lead.
Additionally, the Tampa, Fla. native moved into a tie for the ninth-most saves in program history.
Wake Forest Baseball Single Season Saves
- 1. Dave Bush 2001 16
- 2. Ben Hunter 2006 14
- Buddy Jenkins 1991 14
- 4. Dave Bush 2002 13
- 5. Michael Dimock 2012 12
- Frank Humber 1989 12
- 7. Bret Wagner 1993 10
- Aaron Fossas 2014 10
- 9. Camden Minacci 2021-Pres 9
- William Fleming 2019 9
- Will Craig 2016 9
- Josh Ellis 2007 9
Most Saves by a Demon Deacon
- 1. Dave Bush 1999-02 38
- 2. Michael Dimock 2009-12 19
- 3. Camden Minacci 2021-pres. 17
- Keith Ksansnak 1983-86 17
The Deacs will look to post its fourth-straight perfect ACC weekend on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lowder, Rhett (7-0)
L: Riley Phillips (4-1)
S: Minacci, Camden (9)
Batting:
2B: Wilken, Brock 1 ; Houston, Marek 1
HR: Johnson, Justin 1 ; Lee, Bennett 1
RBI: Johnson, Justin 2 ; Lee, Bennett 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hawke, Tommy 1 ; Johnson, Justin 1 ; Lee, Bennett 1
HBP: Bennett, Pierce 1 ; Johnson, Justin 1
Batting:
2B: Christian Knapczyk 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ BaseballOF/INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballC
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
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