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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Powered by a career night from junior second baseman Blake Schaaf and production throughout the lineup, Wake Forest rolled past NC State, 22-1, in seven innings on Friday night at David F. Couch Ballpark. Schaaf turned in one of the top individual performances of the season, finishing 4-for-5 with two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored to lead the Demon Deacons’ 16-hit effort.
EMPHATIC. pic.twitter.com/xvh4xWCUND
— Wake Forest Baseball (@WakeBaseball) April 18, 2026
After NC State struck first in the opening frame, center fielder Javar Williams answered immediately with a leadoff home run in the bottom half. Williams finished with two hits, four runs scored and two stolen bases, setting the tone at the top of the order. Wake Forest seized control in the second inning. Schaaf’s go-ahead grand slam highlighted a seven-run frame before first baseman Kade Lewis added a two-run home run later in the inning to push the lead to 8-1.
We're out of words. https://t.co/STdghUEmYp pic.twitter.com/40ygpOF7l3
— Wake Forest Baseball (@WakeBaseball) April 18, 2026
The Deacs continued to add on in the third, as Schaaf connected for his second home run of the night, a two-run shot. Lewis and designated hitter Matt Conte each drove in runs in the inning as Wake Forest extended its lead into double digits. Wake Forest put the game away in the sixth, scoring 10 runs on six hits. Catcher Jimmy Keenan capped the inning with a three-run home run, while freshman JD Stein added a two-run blast and Conte delivered a two-RBI single.
20 piece. All flats. Extra crispy. 🍗 pic.twitter.com/GW3ZXPjT0k
— Wake Forest Baseball (@WakeBaseball) April 18, 2026
Keenan finished with two hits, three RBIs and four runs scored, while Stein added two hits and two RBIs. Lewis went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks, and Conte drove in three runs. On the mound, sophomore Chris Levonas earned the win, allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts over 3.1 innings. Junior Blake Morningstar closed the game with three scoreless innings, striking out five to earn his first career save.
Merry go round continues 🎠 pic.twitter.com/Bb8DqQTLKd
— Wake Forest Baseball (@WakeBaseball) April 18, 2026
FROM COACH WALTER
“Great team win. Certainly don’t expect that to happen against somebody as talented as Heath Andrews, but we stacked some good at-bats together there. In the second inning, was really proud of our guys. Matt Conte had a great walk. Boston Torres goes backside with two strikes. Jimmy Keenan lays off some pitches, trying to bunt. Blake Schaaf homers to give us the lead. I was proud of Chris Levonas. He didn’t have his good stuff today, threw 34 pitches in the first inning. He was kind of gassed after the first, but he kept battling and found a way to get seven more outs after that. I was really happy with him and how he battled for us today. Zach Johnston, with a great bridge. Quite honestly, the story of the day for me, and our team, and this team’s season is Blake Morningstar. It was the old Blake today. It was the first time in a long time that we’ve seen the velocity, the sink on the fastball, the cutter, the breaking ball, even threw a couple of good change-ups. So, really pleased with Blake today. Up and down the lineup, had good at-bats, Javar Williams gets us on the board with an opening homer. Obviously, Blake Schaaf had an unbelievable day, and Jimmy Keenan had a good day, too. Proud of our club. We’re going to have a tough game tomorrow. Cooper Consiglio is a really good arm, and they’ve got a locked and loaded bullpen. We’re certainly going to have to play well. Hopefully our guys get rest tonight and come ready to play.” – Head Coach
Tom Walter
UP NEXT
Wake Forest will look to clinch the series tomorrow with first pitch set for 4 p.m. ET on ACCNX
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