Winston-Salem, N.C. – Blitzing the Catamounts with a six-run first inning, Wake Forest scored in each of the first four frames on Saturday evening, cruising to a 14-2 nonconference victory over Western Carolina at the David F. Couch Ballpark.
The Demon Deacons scored all 14 runs over the first four frames, following the six-run first with consecutive three-run innings and a pair in the fourth inning. Wake hit four home runs in the victory, with WCU collecting its first long ball on a breezy day at the ballpark, as the outfield flags stood at attention and pointed the way much of the day.
Game three to conclude the series is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m., and will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with free, live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com. The game is also available on the ACC Network Xtra (
paid subscription required).
Mason Holton accounted for both Catamount runs in the loss, which clinched the series for the Demon Deacons. The Overland Park, Kansas, product lined a solo home run over the wall in right field in the second inning to close the visitors back to within five at 6-1. WCU also scored on a double-play ball off Holton's bat in the fourth inning.
Jackson Lyda paced the Catamounts with a two-hit effort, singling twice and reaching for a third time with a walk. WCU's remaining four hits were spread among four players, with Holton and Winston-Salem native
Noah Quarless (1-for-2) legging out his team-best 17th double, both collecting extra-base hits.
Brody Raleigh (1-for-2) and
Marshall McGowan (1-for-2) both delivered pinch-hit singles in the middle innings for the Catamounts.
Dalton Wentz homered twice in a 2-for-3 effort for Wake Forest, collecting five total RBI coming on a bases-loaded walk, a solo home run, and a three-run blast coming in his first three trips to the batter's box. In addition to Wentz, also homering for Wake were Blake Schaaf in the first inning and Matt Conte in the second for back-to-back homers with Wentz.
Catamount starter
James Fordham (4-4) was saddled with the loss, surrendering six runs on four hits with a pair of walks in just two-thirds of an inning.
Jacob Arnberger was the first of four WCU relievers, tossing an inning before handing the ball to
Owen Austin for an inning and a third, before
Tyler Oaks pitched an inning. The trio of relievers each collected a strikeout.
Scott Templeton threw a team-long 2.0 innings of hitless, scoreless relief, striking out three.
Troy Dressler (7-1) earned the victory, limiting WCU to two runs on six hits, working around two walks with eight strikeouts. Ryan Bosch struck out two over an inning, with Luke Schmolke tossing a hitless, scoreless frame on Senior Day.
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon in Winston-Salem. WCU then ventures to Presbyterian on Tuesday, May 12, to conclude the road portion of its schedule.
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