Saturday, April 29
Winston-Salem, N.C.
4:00 p.m.
Wake Forest University
36-6
18
vs
5
Wofford
31-11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
WOFFORD
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
1
5
8
1
Wake Forest
0
1
1
1
3
8
4
0
0
18
15
1
No. 2 Wake Forest Powers Past Wofford in 18-5 Victory
4/29/2023 7:58:00 PM | Baseball
The Demon Deacons pushed across eight runs on five hits and five walks in the bottom of the sixth inning to push its lead to double-digits.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Behind 16 unanswered runs, the second-ranked Wake Forest baseball team won its fourth-straight game, defeating Wofford, 18-5, on Saturday afternoon inside David F. Couch Ballpark.
Dating back to last year, the Deacs (36-6, 16-4 ACC) hold a 44-4 record against non-ACC teams in the regular season.
Additionally, the 13-run win helped Wake Forest move to a 49-8-1 record inside David F. Couch Ballpark, highlighted by its impressive 23-1 mark this year.
Overall, the Deacs have outscored opponents, 551-189 at The Couch since last year.
Wake Forest leads the nation in wins and winning percentage. Additionally, the Deacs lead the ACC in conference wins.
Over its last 34 innings, Wake Forest has outscored opponents by a margin 69-11.
12 unanswered runs by Wake Forest's offense powered the Deacs to victory. The team profited five runs from four home runs by Justin Johnson, Lucas Costello, Tommy Hawke, and Pierce Bennett.
An eight-run scoring outburst in the sixth inning extended the Wake Forest lead to 14-4. The Deacs batted around in the frame while sending 14 batters to the plate and recording five walks and five hits. This eight-run frame is tied for the second-highest scoring inning of the season.
Despite the big inning, Deacon scoring was not finished as Bennett Lee crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to add four more runs to the Wake Forest total (18-4). This blast tied Wake Forest's season high of home runs in a single game (5).
Rhett Lowder moved to 9-0 this season after tossing six strong innings and recording seven punchouts in his 11th start of 2023. Lowder started strong, facing the minimum through the first three frames.
The right-hander is one of four pitchers in the nation, and the only one in the ACC, with a 9-0 record or better.
Sean Sullivan pitched the remaining three innings of the contest, allowing one run on two hits while setting down seven Terrier hitters on strikes.
The duo combined to strike out 14 batters while issuing just two walks.
How It Happened
Words from Walter
"A good win against a good team. Rhett Lowder did not have his best stuff today but he battled. He was working on a two-seam fastball today, so he threw more two-seamers than he has been throwing. He hung the 0-2 pitch for the home run. But other than that, he got two big double plays for us. Sean Sullivan came in behind him and allowed the one solo home run but threw the ball well. 14 strikeouts and two walks on the day for our pitching staff is going to get you a lot of wins.
"Offensively, Pierce Bennett's home run was the big hit to put us on top as well as some two-out RBIs behind that. But obviously the long-ball was the story today. We hit some home runs off their starter, who is a good college arm. Pleased with our offensive approach up and down the lineup today. It was good to see Adam Cecere get going today and have some better at-bats. Hopefully he is starting to turn the corner. Bennett Lee also had a great game today."
Standout Stats
Over its four-game winning streak (34 innings), Wake Forest has outscored opponents by a margin 69-11. The Deacs have hit 14 homers and have allowed just 22 hits with 11.8 strikeouts per game on the mound during that stretch.
Wake Forest has outscored opponents by double-digits in eight innings this season.
Wake Forest Scoring Summary by Inning (Wake Forest-Opponent)
Wake Forest has scored in the first inning in 25 games this season, posting a 22-3 record in those games. Additionally, the Deacs are 26-3 when they score first.
Coming into Saturday's action, Wake Forest's +6.1 run differential per game led the nation.
Much of Wake Forest's success has been fast starts as the Deacs have outscored opponents by a mark of 163-42 in the opening three innings.
Wake Forest posted its fourth-straight game with an inning of at least five runs with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth against the Terriers.
Overall, the Deacs have pushed across at least five runs in 16 frames.
Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder earned his ninth win of 2023 and the 24th victory of his career after tossing six innings, striking out seven and only allowing two earned runs.
Lowder is one of four pitchers in the nation and the only ACC hurler with an 9-0 record this season.
This season, the Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year has accumulated a 1.83 ERA in 68.2 innings to go along with 81 strikeouts.
The Saturday performance helped Lowder move into a tie with Marc Palmieri (1990-93) for the seventh-most career wins by a Demon Deacon ever. Additionally, the righthander's 24 wins are tied for the second-most victories among active pitchers in Division I baseball.
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. Rhett Lowder (2021-Pres.)- 24
Marc Palmieri (1990-93)- 24
9. Eric Schmitt (1997-00)- 23
10. Warren Newton (1978-81)-22
Moe Bauer (1947-50)- 22
Additionally, Lowder (264 strikeouts) are just two punchouts away from joining Frank Humber (1986-89) for the sixth-most strikeouts in program history. This mark is good for sixth among active pitchers in Division I baseball.
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 264
8. Ross Atkins 1992-95 250
9. 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 26 of his last 28 starts and has gone at least six innings in 19 starts.
On Deck
The Deacs close out its non-conference week against the Panthers on Sunday at 5 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Dating back to last year, the Deacs (36-6, 16-4 ACC) hold a 44-4 record against non-ACC teams in the regular season.
Additionally, the 13-run win helped Wake Forest move to a 49-8-1 record inside David F. Couch Ballpark, highlighted by its impressive 23-1 mark this year.
Overall, the Deacs have outscored opponents, 551-189 at The Couch since last year.
Wake Forest leads the nation in wins and winning percentage. Additionally, the Deacs lead the ACC in conference wins.
Over its last 34 innings, Wake Forest has outscored opponents by a margin 69-11.
12 unanswered runs by Wake Forest's offense powered the Deacs to victory. The team profited five runs from four home runs by Justin Johnson, Lucas Costello, Tommy Hawke, and Pierce Bennett.
An eight-run scoring outburst in the sixth inning extended the Wake Forest lead to 14-4. The Deacs batted around in the frame while sending 14 batters to the plate and recording five walks and five hits. This eight-run frame is tied for the second-highest scoring inning of the season.
Despite the big inning, Deacon scoring was not finished as Bennett Lee crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh to add four more runs to the Wake Forest total (18-4). This blast tied Wake Forest's season high of home runs in a single game (5).
Rhett Lowder moved to 9-0 this season after tossing six strong innings and recording seven punchouts in his 11th start of 2023. Lowder started strong, facing the minimum through the first three frames.
The right-hander is one of four pitchers in the nation, and the only one in the ACC, with a 9-0 record or better.
Sean Sullivan pitched the remaining three innings of the contest, allowing one run on two hits while setting down seven Terrier hitters on strikes.
The duo combined to strike out 14 batters while issuing just two walks.
How It Happened
- Rhett Lowder retired the side with two strikeouts and a fly out to open his 11th start of the season.
- Tommy Hawke worked a leadoff walk, but the next three Deacs were retired in order to end the first frame.
- Lowder notched a scoreless second, highlighted by an inning-ending double play turned by Justin Johnson at second base.
- Lowder opened the frame with his third strikeout.
- In the next half, Johnson got Wake Forest on the scoreboard with a solo shot over the left field wall, his 11th home run of the season.
- Lowder retired Wofford in order in the top of the third, notching a strikeout and back-to-back groundouts.
- Lucas Costello doubled the Demon Deacon advantage (2-0) with another solo homer to left field in the bottom of the frame.
- Wofford took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth with a two-run home run and a pair of unearned runs.
- The Deacs turned another double play to end the inning.
- A Benentt Lee sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning trimmed the Wofford advantage to 4-3.
- Pierce Bennett singled to leadoff the inning and moved to third thanks to a base knock from Adam Cecere before being plated on Lee's 19th RBI of the year.
- Lowder registered his fourth scoreless frame with back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to open the fifth.
- Wake Forest regained the lead (6-4) in the bottom of the inning as Tommy Hawke launched a solo home run off the scoreboard before Pierce Bennett hit a two-run shot to left center field.
- Lowder returned in the sixth and induced Wake Forest's third double play of the game before a groundout marked his fifth scoreless frame of his outing.
- Wake Forest's offense exploded for eight runs on five hits and five walks in the bottom of the sixth inning, extending its lead to 14-4.
- This tied Wake Forest's second-highest scoring inning this season.
- Costello, Wilken, Johnson, Cecere and Houston all registered run-scoring base hits in the big inning.
- Sean Sullivan struck out the side in a scoreless seventh frame to maintain Wake Forest's double-digit lead.
- A Benentt Lee grand slam in the bottom of the seventh increased the Demon Deacon lead to 18-4.
- This tied Wake Forest's season high for home runs in a game.
- Sullivan retired Wofford in order to open the eighth inning with a strikeout, the fourth of his outing, and back-to-back groundouts.
- Wake Forest was held scoreless in the bottom of the eighth.
- Sullivan came back out in the top of the ninth to pitch the final frame of the contest.
- Despite surrendering a solo home run, Sullivan struck out the side to conclude the 18-5 victory.
Words from Walter
"A good win against a good team. Rhett Lowder did not have his best stuff today but he battled. He was working on a two-seam fastball today, so he threw more two-seamers than he has been throwing. He hung the 0-2 pitch for the home run. But other than that, he got two big double plays for us. Sean Sullivan came in behind him and allowed the one solo home run but threw the ball well. 14 strikeouts and two walks on the day for our pitching staff is going to get you a lot of wins.
"Offensively, Pierce Bennett's home run was the big hit to put us on top as well as some two-out RBIs behind that. But obviously the long-ball was the story today. We hit some home runs off their starter, who is a good college arm. Pleased with our offensive approach up and down the lineup today. It was good to see Adam Cecere get going today and have some better at-bats. Hopefully he is starting to turn the corner. Bennett Lee also had a great game today."
Standout Stats
Over its four-game winning streak (34 innings), Wake Forest has outscored opponents by a margin 69-11. The Deacs have hit 14 homers and have allowed just 22 hits with 11.8 strikeouts per game on the mound during that stretch.
Wake Forest has outscored opponents by double-digits in eight innings this season.
Wake Forest Scoring Summary by Inning (Wake Forest-Opponent)
- First Inning: 69-13
- Second Inning: 38-16
- Third Inning: 56-13
- Fourth Inning: 52-19
- Fifth Inning: 68-23
- Sixth Inning: 33-10
- Seventh Inning: 37-9
- Eighth Inning: 34-16
- Ninth Inning: 11-12
Wake Forest has scored in the first inning in 25 games this season, posting a 22-3 record in those games. Additionally, the Deacs are 26-3 when they score first.
Coming into Saturday's action, Wake Forest's +6.1 run differential per game led the nation.
Much of Wake Forest's success has been fast starts as the Deacs have outscored opponents by a mark of 163-42 in the opening three innings.
Wake Forest posted its fourth-straight game with an inning of at least five runs with eight runs in the bottom of the sixth against the Terriers.
Overall, the Deacs have pushed across at least five runs in 16 frames.
- Youngstown State (Feb. 17): Six runs (second inning)
- Youngstown State (Feb. 19): 12 runs (fourth inning)
- UNCG (Feb. 21): Eight runs (first inning)
- Mount St. Mary's (Feb. 24): Six runs (fifth inning)
- Towson (Feb. 25): Five runs (third inning)
- Towson (Feb. 25: Five runs (eighth inning)
- UNC Wilmington (Feb. 28): Five runs (first inning)
- Elon (March 21): Seven runs (first inning)
- Elon (March 21): Seven runs (fifth inning)
- App State (April 11): Five runs (fifth inning)
- Louisville (April 14): Five runs (third inning)
- Pitt (April 22): Six runs (second inning)
- Pitt (April 23): Five runs (second inning)
- Pitt (April 23): Five runs (ninth inning
- Coastal Carolina (April 25): Five runs (fifth inning)
- Wofford (April 29): Eight runs (sixth inning)
Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder earned his ninth win of 2023 and the 24th victory of his career after tossing six innings, striking out seven and only allowing two earned runs.
Lowder is one of four pitchers in the nation and the only ACC hurler with an 9-0 record this season.
This season, the Reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year has accumulated a 1.83 ERA in 68.2 innings to go along with 81 strikeouts.
The Saturday performance helped Lowder move into a tie with Marc Palmieri (1990-93) for the seventh-most career wins by a Demon Deacon ever. Additionally, the righthander's 24 wins are tied for the second-most victories among active pitchers in Division I baseball.
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. Rhett Lowder (2021-Pres.)- 24
Marc Palmieri (1990-93)- 24
9. Eric Schmitt (1997-00)- 23
10. Warren Newton (1978-81)-22
Moe Bauer (1947-50)- 22
Additionally, Lowder (264 strikeouts) are just two punchouts away from joining Frank Humber (1986-89) for the sixth-most strikeouts in program history. This mark is good for sixth among active pitchers in Division I baseball.
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 264
8. Ross Atkins 1992-95 250
9. 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 26 of his last 28 starts and has gone at least six innings in 19 starts.
On Deck
The Deacs close out its non-conference week against the Panthers on Sunday at 5 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lowder, Rhett (9-0)
L: Coulson Buchanan (4-4)
S: Sullivan, Sean (2)
Batting:
HR: Ryan Galanie 1 ; Aaron Thomas 1
RBI: Ryan Galanie 2 ; Aaron Thomas 1 ; Brice Martinez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Marshall Toole 1 ; Ryan Galanie 1 ; Dixon Black 1 ; Cameron Gill 1 ; Aaron Thomas 1
SB: Brice Martinez 1 ; Gunnar Johnson 1
Batting:
2B: Costello, Lucas 1 ; Wilken, Brock 1 ; Corona, Danny 1 ; Cecere, Adam 1
HR: Hawke, Tommy 1 ; Costello, Lucas 1 ; Bennett, Pierce 1 ; Johnson, Justin 1 ; Lee, Bennett 1
RBI: Hawke, Tommy 2 ; Costello, Lucas 2 ; Wilken, Brock 2 ; Bennett, Pierce 2 ; Johnson, Justin 2 ; Cecere, Adam 1 ; Lee, Bennett 5 ; Houston, Marek 1
SF: Lee, Bennett 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hawke, Tommy 2 ; Costello, Lucas 2 ; Kurtz, Nick 1 ; Winnay, Jack 1 ; Wilken, Brock 1 ; Bennett, Pierce 3 ; Joye, Kyle 1 ; Johnson, Justin 3 ; Cecere, Adam 2 ; Lee, Bennett 1 ; Houston, Marek 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
lf/cf
AB
6
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
3
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
3
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
OF/INF
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OF/INF
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C
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RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
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Wake Forest Football Head Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Week 5)
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