Feb. 16, 2007

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Sophomore Weldon Woodall's pinch-hit, infield single in the bottom of ninth capped a three-run rally to give Wake Forest an 8-7 victory over Kent State on Opening Day Friday afternoon at Hooks Stadium.

The Demon Deacons (1-0) were plagued by a slew of early errors and trailed by two, 7-5, heading into the bottom of the ninth. Wake loaded the bases with three-straight walks to open the frame. One out later, junior Willy Fox singled home pinch runner Tyler Smith to cut the deficit to one.

Sophomore Dustin Hood followed by reaching on a fielding error, which scored junior Brett Linnenkohl with the tying run. Woodall then grounded a ball into the hole between third base and shortstop. Kent State shortstop Chris Tremblay made an attempt at the 6-4-3 double play but both runners were safe, allowing junior Ben Terry to score the game-winning run.

The Deacons had to rally late after blowing leads of 4-1 and 5-4. The Golden Flashes (0-1) took a 7-5 lead with three runs in the sixth inning. Kent State took advantage of three Wake Forest errors in the frame, scoring two unearned runs off freshman reliever Phil Negus.

The Golden Flashes had opened the game with a run off sophomore starter Brad Kledzik in the first inning. The Deacs responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame, getting RBI doubles from sophomore Allan Dykstra and Fox.

Fox tripled and scored in the third inning to increase Wake's margin to 4-1, but Kent State followed with three runs off Kledzik in the next inning.

Negus came on in relief in the middle of the fifth and escaped a two-on, no-out jam with no runs crossing the plate.

Senior Josh Ellis (1-0) picked up the win after pitching the eighth and ninth innings. Ellis did not allow a single run and gave up just one hit. He struck out three batters and walked none.

Kledzik pitched four innings in his Opening Day start and surrendered four runs, all earned, on eight hits. Negus went three innings and allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits.

Fox, who was making his Wake Forest debut after transferring from Arizona State, led the Deacons at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Linnenkohl was 2-for-3 with two runs, while junior Andy Goff went 2-for-4.

Greg Rohan was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, and Jared Bartholomew went 3-for-5 with a run to lead the Golden Flashes.

Ryan Davis (0-1) suffered the loss for Kent State. Davis entered with one on and no outs in the ninth.

Wake Forest and Kent State square off again on Saturday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.