Wake Forest Men's Soccer
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CONWAY, S.C. — Under the lights at Springs Brooks Stadium, No. 12 Wake Forest entered Tuesday’s midweek showdown riding a program‑best 15‑game win streak and brimming with offensive firepower. Ahead of first pitch, there was an unmistakable confidence about the Demon Deacons — a swagger born from one of the nation’s deepest lineups and a pitching staff that had repeatedly stifled opponents through three weeks of the 2026 season.
Yet in college baseball, momentum can flip in an instant, and that’s exactly what happened. No. 16 Coastal Carolina used a blistering seven‑run sixth inning to turn the game on its head, storming past Wake Forest for a 10‑4 victory and snapping the Deacons’ historic streak in emphatic fashion.
Early Game: Punches Exchanged but Neither Has Control
The first few innings played out like a heavyweight bout. Wake Forest’s lineup — known for its patient approach and high on‑base culture — worked deep counts, found barrels, and made Coastal’s bullpen work for every out. In the second inning, Ty Barrango cut through Wake’s defense with a two‑run single that gave the Chanticleers an early 2‑0 edge.
But Wake Forest — undeterred and grounded in confidence — answered back methodically. A solo blast by Luke Costello in the fourth brought the Deacs onto the board, and timely base hits from Blake Schaaf and Javar Williams turned that spark into a 4‑2 lead by the top of the sixth. It was the kind of sustained offensive pressure that had become routine during Wake’s win streak.
Sixth Inning: A Rally for the Record Books
Then came the turning point.
With the score knotted at 4‑4 and Deacons fans believing momentum was tilting in their favor, Coastal Carolina unleashed a flurry of offense that would redefine the night. Colby Thorndyke’s deep home run — his first of the season — ignited the Chanticleers’ uprising and erased Wake Forest’s hard‑earned advantage.
That was just the beginning. With the bases loaded, Dean Mihos delivered an RBI single before Trace Mazon followed suit to keep the rally going. A hit‑by‑pitch plated another run, and Rex Watson’s two‑run knock ultimately turned a tight game into a commanding 9‑4 edge before the inning mercifully ended.
For Wake Forest, it was an unexpected collapse in an inning that had been locked in a standstill just moments earlier.
Closing It Out: Coastal Closes the Door
Wake Forest fought through the late innings, but the commanding lead Coastal built proved too large to overcome. Meanwhile, Chanticleer reliever Connor Kane, credited with the victory, mixed changeups and fastballs to keep Deacons hitters off‑balance and limit further momentum swings.
Coastal added an insurance run in the seventh before the game closed, capping a seven‑run frame that will live on in Chanticleer lore — and in Wake Forest’s recent history as the night their streak was snapped.
Standout Performers
Coastal Carolina:
- Colby Thorndyke — Go‑ahead home run to spark the rally.
- Trace Mazon — Multi‑hit night (3‑for‑5) with key RBIs.
- Dean Mihos & Rex Watson — Two RBIs apiece in the pivotal sixth.
- Connor Kane — Bullpen gem who kept Wake Forest at bay late.
Wake Forest:
- Luke Costello — Early home run and steady bat in lineup.
- Blake Schaaf & Javar Williams — Drivers of Wake’s four runs.
- Rhys Bowie — Worked through adversity on the mound and battled in early frames.
Looking Ahead: Wake Forest’s Path Forward
For the Demon Deacons, Tuesday’s loss isn’t a derailment — it’s a reminder of just how deep and dangerous the college baseball landscape is. Wake Forest walked into Conway as one of the hottest teams in the country, and in many ways, played like it through five innings. But a single explosive frame can change the complexion of a game — and this one did.
The offensive identity that has powered Wake Forest — patient at‑bats, aggressive baserunning, and multiple run‑producers throughout the lineup — remains intact. This group will get another chance soon to prove what it has shown all season: the ability to beat anyone, anywhere. With big weekend series on deck, the focus turns quickly back to what made the Demon Deacons successful in the first place: consistency at the plate and confidence on the mound.
Instead of a losing hangover, Tuesday’s setback should fuel Wake Forest’s next stretch of play — turning disappointment into focus, and resilience into results.
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