0
0
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The opening weekend of conference play at David F. Couch Ballpark delivered a little bit of everything for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons baseball — dominant pitching, relentless offense, and two high-scoring battles that tested the depth of the lineup.
By the time the final out settled into a glove Saturday night, Wake Forest had completed a three-game sweep of the Stanford Cardinal baseball, winning 7–4 on Friday before outlasting Stanford in a pair of offensive shootouts 12–9 and 14–10 in Saturday’s doubleheader.
It was the kind of weekend that showcased exactly why the Demon Deacons believe they can be a contender in the ACC this season.
Friday: Morningstar Sets the Tone
The series opener began with an early jolt.
Stanford struck first when a solo home run in the opening inning briefly quieted the home crowd. But Wake Forest responded immediately, tying the game in the bottom half and slowly seizing control behind a dominant outing from right-hander Blake Morningstar.
Morningstar delivered one of the best performances of his career, striking out 11 batters over six innings while allowing just two hits and one run. After surrendering the early homer, the junior right-hander settled in and retired 17 of the final batters he faced, repeatedly overpowering Stanford hitters with a sharp fastball and devastating off-speed pitches.
While Morningstar controlled the game on the mound, Wake Forest’s lineup steadily built the lead.
First baseman Kade Lewis paced the offense with a three-hit night, including two doubles and two RBIs. Outfielder Javar Williams added three hits of his own, and Jackson Miller chipped in with two hits and an RBI.
A three-run fourth inning pushed the Deacons ahead for good, and two more runs in the fifth stretched the advantage. Stanford threatened late with a pair of ninth-inning home runs, but reliever Will Ray closed the door with two strikeouts to secure a 7–4 victory.
The win extended Wake Forest’s winning streak and set the tone for the weekend.
Saturday Game 1: Deacons Win a Back-and-Forth Battle
The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader quickly turned into a slugfest.
Both teams traded runs early, with Stanford’s lineup finding success against Wake Forest pitching while the Deacons answered with timely hitting of their own. The lead changed hands multiple times as each lineup seemed capable of producing a rally.
Wake Forest finally seized momentum midway through the game behind a burst of offense that pushed the Deacons ahead. Key hits from the heart of the lineup helped open a small cushion, but Stanford refused to go quietly, chipping away to keep the pressure on deep into the late innings.
Ultimately, Wake Forest’s offense proved just a bit deeper.
Clutch hits and aggressive baserunning helped the Deacons maintain their edge before finally closing out a 12–9 victory, giving Wake Forest the series win before the nightcap even began.
Saturday Game 2: Offense Explodes to Complete the Sweep
If the first two games were intense, the series finale was pure chaos.
Stanford came out swinging and quickly jumped into another offensive battle, scoring in multiple early innings. But Wake Forest answered immediately, erupting for five runs in the first inning and four more in the third to seize early control of the game.
Even with that fast start, the Cardinal continued to push back, scoring in several innings and keeping the pressure squarely on the Deacons.
Wake Forest’s lineup never slowed down.
Extra-base hits, patient at-bats, and timely RBIs kept the scoreboard moving as the Deacons continued to respond every time Stanford closed the gap. A late burst of insurance runs in the eighth inning finally gave Wake Forest breathing room.
When the final out was recorded, the Deacons had secured a 14–10 victory, completing the sweep and sending the home crowd into celebration.
A Statement Opening Weekend
Across the three games, Wake Forest showcased both sides of its identity — dominant pitching when needed and a lineup capable of exploding for runs at any moment.
Morningstar’s commanding start set the tone Friday, while the offense took center stage during Saturday’s doubleheader, producing a combined 26 runs in two games to seal the series.
With the sweep, Wake Forest opened ACC play in impressive fashion and carried significant momentum deeper into the conference schedule.
About the Author
