Wake Forest Men's Soccer
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Wake Forest Powers Through Pitt in High-Scoring Weekend Series
PITTSBURGH – Wake Forest didn’t just win this weekend at Charles L. Cost Field—they dominated, showcasing a lineup that can hit for power, a pitching staff that can lock down opponents, and a depth that left Pitt scrambling. From Friday’s late-inning surge to Saturday’s record-setting 22-run eruption, the Demon Deacons made it clear they’re a team to watch in the ACC. Even Sunday’s narrow walk-off loss couldn’t overshadow two commanding victories that highlighted Wake Forest’s balance, resilience, and firepower.
Friday – Late-Inning Power Secures 8-2 Win
The series opener started with Pitt taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Wake Forest tried to respond in the second, putting runners in scoring position after a pair of walks, but came up empty. By the end of the second, Pitt had extended its advantage to 2-0 on a two-out triple, leaving the Deacons chasing the game early.
Sophomore Chris Levonas, making his first Friday start of the season, settled the Deacs’ nerves with a performance bordering on masterful. Over 6.1 innings, he allowed just two runs on three hits, striking out seven while retiring 13 straight batters from the second through the sixth. His poise set the stage for Wake Forest’s offense to ignite.
The fourth inning became the turning point. Kade Lewis and Matt Conte jumped on the first pitch of the inning for back-to-back singles, and Boston Torres followed with a walk to load the bases. Freshman Andrew Costello’s RBI fielder’s choice put Wake Forest on the board, but senior Jimmy Keenan’s three-run homer gave the Deacons their first lead. Two batters later, Javar Williams sent a solo blast to deep center field, capping a five-run frame and giving Wake Forest a 5-2 lead.
Levonas continued to dominate through the sixth inning, retiring the side in order. Junior Dalton Wentz and sophomore Luke Costello added home runs in the seventh and eighth, expanding the lead to 8-2. Freshman Evan Jones took over for the final 2.2 innings, allowing only two of the ten batters he faced to reach base. Wake Forest matched its season high with four home runs, securing a dominant series opener.
Stat Highlights – Friday
- Chris Levonas: 6.1 IP, 7 K, 2 R, 3 H, 13 consecutive outs
- Home runs: Javar Williams, Dalton Wentz, Luke Costello, Jimmy Keenan
- Wake Forest now 10-1 when hitting 2+ home runs
Key Moment: Keenan’s three-run homer in the fourth put Wake Forest ahead for good and sparked the five-run inning.
Saturday – Historic 22-Run Onslaught Powers Series Win
Saturday’s game became a showcase of Wake Forest’s offensive depth. Sophomore Luke Costello opened the scoring with a 468-foot, 106-mph two-run homer in the first inning, giving the Deacons an early lead. Dalton Wentz added a solo blast, giving Wake Forest a 3-2 edge after Pitt had briefly tied the game and then taken a lead in the second.
The third inning saw Costello double down the left-field line for three RBIs, followed by a sac fly from Kade Lewis and an RBI groundout from Matt Conte to push the lead to 5-3. Wake Forest broke the game open in the fourth, scoring six runs on a combination of walks, a perfectly executed bunt from JD Stein, and a two-RBI double from Boston Torres. By the end of the inning, Wake Forest led 11-4, putting Pitt on the ropes.
The Deacons’ bats never cooled. In the fifth, they added three runs, with Luke Costello, Lewis, and Conte contributing RBIs. The sixth inning brought four more runs, including a three-run homer from Wentz, giving Wake Forest six home runs in the series and maintaining their momentum. Freshman JD Stein capped the scoring in the seventh with a three-run homer, giving the Deacons 22 runs, the first 20+ run game of the season.
While the offense stole the spotlight, the pitching staff held Pitt under control. Troy Dressler dominated middle innings, and freshmen Grant Nicholson and Ryan Bosch closed out the game. Eight of nine starters recorded hits, six had multi-hit games, and six drove in multiple RBIs.
Stat Highlights – Saturday
- Total hits: 21 (8 extra-base hits)
- Home runs: Luke Costello, Dalton Wentz, JD Stein
- Bottom of the lineup (5-9 hitters): 8-for-15, 11 runs, 6 RBIs
- Six multi-RBI performances
Key Moment: Boston Torres’ two-RBI double in the fourth stretched Wake Forest’s lead to 11-4, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Sunday – Walk-Off Loss Ends Series
Sunday’s finale was a different kind of battle: tight, strategic, and tense. Cameron Bagwell started for Wake Forest, pitching six innings and allowing only one run while recording 11 ground-ball outs, including two double plays. Despite his effort, the game stayed close, with Wake Forest taking a 2-0 lead in the sixth and adding another run in the seventh.
Javar Williams extended his hit streak to six games with a fourth-inning double, while Kade Lewis and JD Stein drove in crucial runs. Relievers Rhys Bowie and Marcelo Harsch escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to maintain a slim lead. But in the bottom of the ninth, Pitt scored two runs on sac flies for a 4-3 walk-off win. Even in defeat, Wake Forest’s performance across the weekend showcased depth, balance, and the ability to compete in tight games.
Stat Highlights – Sunday
- Javar Williams: hit streak extended to 6 games
- Cameron Bagwell: 6 IP, 1 R, 11 ground-ball outs, 2 double plays
- JD Stein: 2-for-3 with an RBI
Key Moment: Pitt’s sac fly in the ninth ended the series on a dramatic note, but Wake Forest still captured the series with wins Friday and Saturday.
Series Wrap-Up
The weekend against Pitt highlighted Wake Forest’s versatility and resilience. Friday’s late-inning surge, Saturday’s record-setting 22-run explosion, and Sunday’s nail-biting finale combined for a series that reinforced the team’s depth and talent. Standout performances from Luke Costello, Dalton Wentz, Javar Williams, JD Stein, and Chris Levonas illustrated why Wake Forest is a powerhouse in the ACC. With two wins and one close loss, the Demon Deacons leave Pittsburgh with momentum, confidence, and a lineup that can challenge any opponent in the league.
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