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Winston-Salem, N.C. — The Demon Deacons battled, rallied, and showcased their depth over a three-game series against the California Golden Bears at David F. Couch Ballpark. Wake Forest claimed dramatic wins in the first two games before California rallied late in Sunday’s finale, splitting the series 2-1. It was a weekend defined by clutch hitting, dominant pitching, and momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Game 1 — Wake Forest 9, California 5 (Friday, March 27 / Suspended)
California stormed out of the gates, sending three home runs over the fence in the first inning and taking a 4-0 lead. The crowd gasped as the Deacons dug in behind starting pitcher Cameron Bagwell, who quickly settled after the early onslaught. His scoreless second inning provided a lifeline, keeping Wake in striking distance.
In the bottom of the second, Jackson Miller laced a two-out double down the left-field line, driving in Boston Torres and sparking the first wave of hope. Bagwell and reliever Rhys Bowie traded zeros with Cal over the next few innings, as defensive plays and quick outs kept the Golden Bears at bay.
The sixth inning saw Wake Forest begin to claw back. Kade Lewis scored on a throwing error, Matt Conte roped a double off the center-field wall to plate another, and Luke Costello crossed home after a miscue. The deficit narrowed to 5-4, and tension filled the ballpark.
Rain forced the game into suspension after the top of the seventh. When play resumed Saturday afternoon, freshman Evan Jones took the mound. He retired the seventh and eighth innings with precision, using crisp groundouts and flyballs to keep the game within reach.
Then came the eighth inning — the moment every fan would remember. Dalton Wentz and Luke Costello opened with singles, and Matt Conte executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving runners into scoring position. Boston Torres was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Miller crushed a double down the left-field line, scoring two and giving Wake its first lead. JD Stein followed with a bunt single, forcing a miscue that plated two more. A stolen base by Javar Williams capped the five-run frame. Jones retired the final three batters to seal the 9-5 comeback win, and the stadium erupted.
Key performers:
- Jackson Miller: 2-for-4, key RBI double
- Matt Conte: Sacrifice bunt set up the decisive eighth inning
- Evan Jones: 3 scoreless innings in relief
Game 2 — Wake Forest 4, California 1 (Saturday, March 28)
Saturday was a showcase of pitching dominance and timely offense. Sophomore Chris Levonas delivered 6.1 brilliant innings, scattering five hits, allowing one earned run, and striking out 10. His composure and precision silenced the Golden Bears’ bats.
Offensively, Wake Forest jumped ahead immediately. Matt Conte drove in a run with a first-inning single, and Kade Lewis launched a towering home run in the fifth to extend the lead. Conte added a double later in the inning to plate Dalton Wentz, putting the Deacons comfortably ahead 4-0. California scored once in the seventh, but freshman Marcelo Harsch closed with 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing just one walk, securing Wake’s 4-1 victory.
The game was electric: Levonas fanning batter after batter, Lewis rounding the bases after his fifth homer of the season, and the Wake Forest crowd erupting with every clutch hit. “Levonas gave us a chance to control the game,” said Associate Head Coach Bill Cilento. “And our guys capitalized at the plate when we needed it.”
Key performers:
- Chris Levonas: 10 strikeouts, 6.1 innings, ERA now 1.95
- Matt Conte: 2-for-2 with RBIs
- Kade Lewis: Solo home run provided crucial cushion
Game 3 — California 5, Wake Forest 3 (Sunday, March 29)
The series finale was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Troy Dressler took the mound for Wake Forest, striking out eight over 5.1 innings while allowing only one run. Sophomore reliever Rhys Bowie entered later and struck out all five batters he faced, keeping Wake within striking distance.
Wake Forest threatened repeatedly. In the seventh, Andrew Costello’s RBI single cut the deficit to 5-1. In the eighth, Matt Conte launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall, sending the crowd into a frenzy and bringing the winning run to the plate. Despite the late surge, the Deacons couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 5-3.
Head Coach Tom Walter reflected on the effort: “That game is 100-percent on me. I needed to make better decisions in the seventh inning. Fortunately, we get to play again on Tuesday.”
Associate Head Coach Bill Cilento added: “Tough game today… I’m proud of our kids because they found a way to give us a chance late. That’s all you can ask for.”
Key performers:
- Matt Conte: 2-for-4, two-run home run, capped an outstanding series
- Troy Dressler: 8 strikeouts, solid 5.1 innings
- Rhys Bowie: Five strikeouts in relief, keeping Wake competitive
Series Summary
| Game | Winner | Score | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake Forest | 9-5 | Five-run eighth inning comeback |
| 2 | Wake Forest | 4-1 | Dominant pitching and timely hitting |
| 3 | California | 5-3 | Late surge in seventh and eighth innings |
Standout Players:
- Matt Conte: 5 hits, 5 RBIs, two-run homer in Game 3
- Jackson Miller: Key hits and doubles in Game 1
- Chris Levonas: Dominant pitching performance in Game 2
- Evan Jones: Scoreless relief innings in Game 1
- Troy Dressler & Rhys Bowie: Strong efforts keeping Game 3 competitive
Takeaways:
- Wake Forest improves to 5-0 against West Coast ACC teams this season.
- Momentum swings and clutch hitting defined the series.
- Even in the finale loss, the Deacons demonstrated depth, resilience, and the ability to compete late in games.
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