April 2, 2008

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 21 Coastal Carolina scored five runs over the middle three innings to break a 3-3 stalemate and pull away for a 9-4 defeat of Wake Forest Wednesday afternoon at Hooks Stadium.

The Deacons drop to 12-15 overall with the loss. The Chanticleers improve to 22-6 on the year.

After Coastal plated three runs in the first inning, Wake battled back to tie the game at the end of the third. However, the Chanticleers scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth to take control of the game.

The only offense the Deacons could muster the rest of the way was a solo home run from Mike Murray in the seventh.

Wake Forest was out-hit 14-6. After rallying for two runs in the third, only three Deacons reached base from then on, including Murray's homer.

Deacon starter Ben Hunter (1-5) suffered the loss for the Deacons. The senior allowed six runs, two earned, on nine hits. He struck out six and walked just one.

Only four of Coastal's nine runs were earned, as the Wake Forest defense committed a season-high four errors.

At the plate, Murray, Allan Dykstra and Weldon Woodall combined to drive in Wake's four runs. Woodall had a two-run single in the third, while Dykstra had an RBI single in the first. Ben Terry scored twice in the game.

Coastal Carolina took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Scott Woodward led off the game with a bunt single on the first pitch of the game. Dock Doyle followed with a double to right, driving in Woodward. David Sappelt then reached on a two-base error, and one out later Adam Rice walked to load the bases. David Anderson drove in Doyle and Sappelt with a double down the rightfield line. Hunter quickly recovered to strike out the next two batters and end the rally.

Wake Forest got one of the runs back in its half of the first. Terry reached on a leadoff walk, and one out later Willy Fox was walked as well. Dykstra then blooped a single into shallow center to drive in Terry from second. Coastal starter Cody Wheeler ended the threat by inducing an inning-ending double play.

The Deacons tied the score with two runs in the third. Terry reached on a walk, and Steven Brooks followed with a single to center. One out later, Dykstra was walked to load the bases for Woodall. Woodall came through by lacing a sharp single past the third baseman and into leftfield. Terry and Brooks scored easily to knot up the score 3-3.

The Chanticleers quickly responded with two runs in the fourth. David Anderson and Tyler Bortnick reached on a single and hit by pitch respectively. Hunter rebounded to strike out the next two batters before Woodward dumped a single into left to score Anderson. Doyle followed with a single up the middle to drive in Bortnick and give the visitors a 5-3 advantage.

Coastal added an unearned run in the fifth. Tommy Baldridge singled to left and then advanced to second when the ball was bobbled. One out later, Bortnick doubled off the leftfield wall to drive in Baldridge.

The Chants scored twice more in the sixth. Woodward and Doyle reached on a walk and a single with one out. Sappelt followed with a fielder's choice to score Woodward, who beat the throw home on the play. Baldridge then singled to right to plate Doyle from second.

Wake Forest broke a three-inning scoreless streak when Murray hit a solo home run in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 8-4. With one out in the frame, Murray drove a 3-2 pitch from Anderson to right field for his first homer of the season.

Coastal Carolina scored an insurance run in the ninth, plating an unearned run off Mark Adzick. Anderson led off with an infield single and took second on a throwing error on the play. One out later, pinch hitter Jose Iglesias slapped a single up the middle to score Anderson.

Dustin Hood led off Wake's half of the ninth with a single, but he was erased on a double play before the Deacs could get a rally started.

Anderson (4-1) earned the win for Coastal. The righthander pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked none.

Wheeler did not factor into the decision, as he lasted 2 2/3 innings. The lefty gave up three runs on three hits with five walks and two strikeouts.

Brad Kledzik pitched two innings of relief, giving up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Brandon Johnson sent the Chanticleers down in order during his one inning of relief.

Adzick allowed an unearned run on two hits with a strikeout in his inning of work.

Anderson and Doyle led Coastal at the plate. Each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Baldridge and Woodward finished with two hits apiece.

Wake Forest returns to ACC play this weekend with a three-game series at NC State. First pitch for Friday's and Saturday's games is 6:30 p.m. Sunday's contest is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.