'Cats Down Wake Forest, 7-6, For Eighth Straight Win

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DAVIDSON, N.C. – A six-run sixth inning erased a two-run deficit for Davidson and led the Wildcats past Wake Forest, 7-6, in non-conference baseball action Wednesday night at Wilson Field.

The victory improved Davidson's record to 11-6, and extends its winning streak to eight games – the longest since the Wildcats won nine-straight in 1964. It also gave the 'Cats a home-and-home series split with ACC foe Wake Forest (13-9), as the Demon Deacons used a ninth-inning rally to force extra innings and win, 4-3, in the 12th inning in the 'Cats' season opener in Winston-Salem back in February.

Four Wildcats posted two-hit games, led by hot-hitting centerfielder Forrest Brandt, who doubled and scored two runs. Shortstop Sam Foy and third baseman David Daniels also had a double amongst their two hits each, and each had an RBI.

Ty Middlebrooks, who had a career game Friday against The Citadel, was a factor off the bench again for the Wildcats, hitting a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded to drive in two runs in the decisive sixth inning. Davidson sent nine batters to the plate in the frame and led the inning off with four consecutive hits before drawing a walk with the bases loaded, which Middlebrooks followed with his double.

Trailing 7-4 entering the top of the ninth inning, Wake Forest scored two unearned runs and had the go-ahead run on-base, but RHP Michael Goldberg was able to get the final two outs for his first career save.

Wake Forest had held the lead from the third inning to the bottom of the sixth inning.

With Davidson trailing 3-1, Brandt led the sixth off with a double, and then advanced on a single by right fielder Nathan Becker (2-for-4, R) and scored on a throwing error on the play. Foy and left fielder Lee Miller (1-for-4, R) then both singled to load the bases, and Arkin drew a walk to score Becker for the second run of the frame. Middlebrooks' double drove in two, and then two runs scored on a single by Daniels for a 7-3 lead.

Wake Forest ultimately out-hit Davidson, 12-11, by virtue of three hits in the ninth. Centerfielder and leadoff batter Evan Stephens paced Wake, going 3-for-5 with a double and RBI. Designated hitter Charlie Morgan (1-for-5) had the only other Demon Deacon RBIs on a two-run home run.

Davidson had gotten on the scoreboard first when an RBI-double by Foy in the second inning drove in Brandt. The Demon Deacons went ahead in the third inning though when Morgan hit the two-run home run with a full count and two outs, and they added another run in the top of the sixth inning on a wild pitch.

LHP Justin Charles (2-0) was one of seven pitchers Davidson used, and he earned the win after getting the final two outs in the top of the sixth inning. RHP Clark Beeker started and allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work, and he was followed by RHP Durin O'Linger, who matched his career-high of five strikeouts and allowed just one hit, also in 2.2 innings. O'Linger struck out the side looking in the fifth inning.

RHP Connor Johnstone (1-1) had cruised for Wake Forest until the sixth inning, when he was unable to get an out. He was charged with five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

Davidson will return to Southern Conference action Friday at 6 p.m., beginning a three-game series against Wofford at Wilson Field.

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