Tuesday, February 20
Greensboro, NC
4 p.m.
Wake Forest University
3
at
4
UNC Greensboro
Wake Forest Late Rally Falls Short in Midweek Battle at UNCG
2/20/2024 7:55:00 PM | Baseball
Freshman Haiden Leffew was a bright spot on the mound for the Deacs with four strong innings of work including eight strikeouts in his Wake Forest and collegiate debut.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 1 Wake Forest baseball team fell in the first midway of the season, battling to make it a one-run game in the eighth, before ultimately falling, 4-3, at UNC Greensboro on Tuesday evening.
Junior outfielder Seaver King scored two of the three Demon Deacon (3-1) runs while adding a single through the left side and a walk. Graduate transfer catcher Tate Ballestero added a pair of RBIs with a groundout in the top of the fourth inning and a two-out double in the eight to cut into the Spartan advantage.
After scoring two runs in the eighth inning, Wake Forest nearly came back to tie the game but left the bases loaded. The Deacs also had a runner on second with one out in the ninth but left him stranded.
On the mound, freshman lefthander Haiden Leffew filled up the strike zone in his Wake Forest debut, tossing 4.0 innings of two-hit ball, allowing one run on two with eight strikeouts.
UNCG (4-0) took advantage of three two-out RBIs to remain undefeated through the opening stages of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FROM COACH WALTER
"It's a disappointing loss. We certainly had our chances there. The free passes came back to haunt us with all four of their runs reaching first base via the free pass. Give [UNCG] credit, they got two big hits with two outs for three of their RBIs. We just didn't get it done offensively. I've got to do more to help us win. I've got to make different decisions late in the game to give us a better chance to win. We have some growing up to do. We've got to have better situational at-bats. We have to be ready to go on Friday. It's a long season but we aren't where we want to be right now." - head coach Tom Walter
UP NEXT
The Deacs are back at David F. Couch Ballpark for a three-game set against Dayton. First pitch on Friday is set for 4 p.m. For fans not in attendance at The Couch on Friday, the game can be seen on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Junior outfielder Seaver King scored two of the three Demon Deacon (3-1) runs while adding a single through the left side and a walk. Graduate transfer catcher Tate Ballestero added a pair of RBIs with a groundout in the top of the fourth inning and a two-out double in the eight to cut into the Spartan advantage.
After scoring two runs in the eighth inning, Wake Forest nearly came back to tie the game but left the bases loaded. The Deacs also had a runner on second with one out in the ninth but left him stranded.
On the mound, freshman lefthander Haiden Leffew filled up the strike zone in his Wake Forest debut, tossing 4.0 innings of two-hit ball, allowing one run on two with eight strikeouts.
UNCG (4-0) took advantage of three two-out RBIs to remain undefeated through the opening stages of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Leadoff Adam Tellier reached on a hit by pitch and swiped second for his first stolen base of the year but the Deacs were unable to scratch a run across in the top of the first.
- Freshman Haiden Leffew made quick work of the Spartans in his first inning with a pair of strikeouts, needing just nine pitches to get through the frame.
- Jake Reinisch got the Deacs started in the second with a double, however Wake Forest was unable to capitalize and bring him home.
- After a bases loaded walk gave UNCG a 1-0 advantage, Leffew found his groove again and limited the damage to just one run with two more strikeouts and a flyout to Jack Winnay in leftfield.
- UNCG went three up and three down in the bottom of the third inning, Leffew fanned the leadoff batter for his fifth strikeout of the night, needing just 10 pitches to get through the inning.
- King started the top of the fourth with a leadoff walk for the Deacs.
- After advancing to second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch, Tate Ballestero drove in King to even the score 1-1.
- Leffew continued to shine with three strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth to keep the score tied going into the top of the fifth.
- Will Ray entered in relief in the bottom of the fifth inning. After a single to right field, Ray struck out the last two batters in the inning.
- The Spartans added one run in the bottom of the sixth inning making the score 2-1.
- UNCG extended their lead with two more in the seventh to make it 4-1.
- Wake Forest cut the Spartan lead to two with a double lost in the lights by Ballestero to score King.
- Three-straight walks from UNCG brought Ballestero home to make it a 4-3 game.
- UNCG held on to take the 4-3 win.
FROM COACH WALTER
"It's a disappointing loss. We certainly had our chances there. The free passes came back to haunt us with all four of their runs reaching first base via the free pass. Give [UNCG] credit, they got two big hits with two outs for three of their RBIs. We just didn't get it done offensively. I've got to do more to help us win. I've got to make different decisions late in the game to give us a better chance to win. We have some growing up to do. We've got to have better situational at-bats. We have to be ready to go on Friday. It's a long season but we aren't where we want to be right now." - head coach Tom Walter
UP NEXT
The Deacs are back at David F. Couch Ballpark for a three-game set against Dayton. First pitch on Friday is set for 4 p.m. For fans not in attendance at The Couch on Friday, the game can be seen on ACC Network Extra.
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Players Mentioned
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