Wake Forest Rallies Past Davidson in 12th Inning, 4-3

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest forced extra innings in the bottom of the ninth inning and scored the game-deciding run on a hit-by-pitch in the 12th to defeat Davidson, 4-3, in non-conference baseball action Tuesday evening in Wake Forest Baseball Park.

Davidson (0-1), playing its season opener, had led since the third inning, but Wake Forest (3-2) rallied from a 3-1 deficit, scoring a run in the sixth inning and taking advantage of Davidson's third error of the game in the ninth inning. Right fielder Joey Rodriguez (2-for-5) led off the bottom of the ninth by reaching on the misplay, and he later scored an unearned from third base on a sacrifice fly to right by Nate Mondou (0-for-5).

With the bases loaded in the 12th, Rodriguez's replacement, Kevin Conway, was hit by a pitch from RHP Michael Goldberg (0-1), bringing home the game-winning run.

It was Davidson's first season opener to go to extra innings since 1930, and the longest ever, besting an 11-inning game in 1924.

Ben Arkin (2-for-5), making just his second career start and first at second base, had given Davidson a 2-1 lead in the third inning with his first career home run. Left fielder Lee Miller (2-for-3) was on base after leading the frame off with a double. Miller also scored Davidson's third run of the game, as he led the fifth inning off with a single, stole second with one out during Forrest Brandt's (2-for-6) at-bat, and then crossed home plate when Brandt delivered with a line-drive single to left field.

Designated hitter Ryan Lowe also had a two-hit game for the Wildcats, tripling in the 10th inning with two outs and a full count. However, Wake Forest's bullpen shutout Davidson over the final seven innings of the game. RHP Nate Jones yielded just one hit and struck out three in two innings of work, and RHP Aaron Fossas (1-0) struck out six and allowed just a hit and a walk in five innings to earn the win.

Wake Forest only plated one run in the first inning despite loading the bases with no outs. RHP Nick Neitzel surrendered a leadoff double and walked the next two batters, but sharp Wildcat defense resulted in a double play on a sacrifice fly. Neitzel was able to strike the fifth batter of the inning out on three pitches to complete the escape from the jam.

Neitzel was relieved in the third inning by LHP Rob Bain, who was in line for the win after pitching three scoreless innings and allowing two hits and a walk with three strikeouts. The Wildcats used six pitchers total.

Wake Forest starter RHP Connor Kaden led all pitchers with eight strikeouts in five innings. Centerfielder Evan Stephens and shortstop Connor Keniry led the Demon Deacons offensively with three hits each, including a double each.

NOTES: Due to the cancellation of its opening series against Buffalo and soggy conditions at Wilson Field, Davidson opened its season on the road for the first time since 2005, which was also at Wake Forest (6-3 Wildcat win) … senior Forrest Brandt batted leadoff for the first time in his career.

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