Wake Forest Baseball: A Closer Look at the Series against Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – This past weekend, the Wake Forest baseball team showcased tremendous resilience and skill, securing a series victory against No. 21 Louisville despite falling short in the final game. On Saturday, the Demon Deacons battled hard but ultimately lost 14-9 at Jim Patterson Stadium.
A Series Win with a Strong Performance
The weekend was particularly significant as it marked the third consecutive year that the Demon Deacons (36-19, 16-14 ACC) triumphed in a series against the Cardinals (35-20, 15-15 ACC). This was highlighted by a commanding 14-4 victory on Thursday and a tight 5-4 win on Friday, underlining their dominant performance throughout the series. Notably, Wake Forest became the first team to win a series in Louisville this season, breaking the Cardinals’ impressive home streak.
Playoff Position Secured
With Notre Dame’s victory over Miami, Wake Forest clinched a bye for the opening round of the 2025 ACC Tournament. The Deacs earned the No. 8 seed, and they are set to face the winner of the No. 9 and No. 16 seed on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in Durham, N.C.
Standout Performers
Junior Jack Winnay put on a stellar performance, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle over the weekend. He’s been on fire lately, hitting safely in 15 of his last 16 games for Wake Forest. His remarkable four-hit game featured a double, home run, and two singles, further emphasizing his clutch abilities as the postseason approaches.
Meanwhile, sophomore Kade Lewis continues to impress, reaching base in an astonishing 25 consecutive games after drawing a walk in the opening inning. Freshman Luke Costello also made his mark, notching his sixth RBI in as many games with a key single that helped spark the Deacs.
With a home run from catcher Jimmy Keenan, who blasted his sixth of the season, Wake Forest has now amassed a total of 96 home runs, leading the ACC and ranking them within the top 20 nationally. The Deacs are poised to reach the 100 home run milestone for the fourth consecutive season, joining an elite group of teams achieving this feat.
How It Unfolded
How It Happened:
- First Inning: Louisville jumped ahead with a two-run homer, igniting their offense right out of the gate.
- Second Inning: The Cardinals widened their lead to 4-0, as Wake Forest struggled to find their footing.
- Third Inning: A third home run put Louisville ahead 5-0.
- Midgame Rally: Winnay finally broke through with a decisive double, leading to Wake Forest’s first run off Costello’s single.
- Key Moments: Keenan’s two-run homer showed the Deacs’ heart, narrowing the gap to 6-3. An explosive two-run shot from Winnay later tied the game at 7-7.
- Final Innings: Louisville answered back, ultimately pulling away to secure the 14-9 victory.
Coach Walter’s Reflection
Reflecting on the game, Head Coach Tom Walter expressed pride in his team’s offensive efforts, noting, "Great job offensively today. I thought we grinded our at-bats. We were as good today offensively as we’ve been all year." However, he acknowledged defensive lapses that contributed to the eventual loss: “We didn’t get a zero today. They hit a couple of home runs, but we gave them runs through walks and errors.”
Looking Ahead
As Wake Forest sets its sights on the 2025 ACC Baseball Tournament, they are eager to harness the momentum built over the past series. The Deacs have secured a valuable first-round bye and will aim to put forward their best performance in Durham.
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As the postseason approaches, the excitement is palpable. Go Deacs!
