Feb. 21, 2002

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- In the team's home opener on Thursday, 12th-ranked Wake Forest held off Elon University 6-4 at Hooks Stadium. Redshirt freshman catcher Ryder Mathias recorded a career-high three hits and had the game-winning RBI, a two-out, two-run single in the fifth inning.

Elon dented the scoreboard first on Jim Swenson's solo homer in the second. Swenson did more damage later with a second home run and a triple. The game was a see-saw battle until the fifth inning when Mathias' single gave Wake Forest the lead for good.

Junior Ben Clayton pitched five innings for the victory, allowing three runs with four strikeouts. After the Deacons took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, Clayton handed the ball to the bullpen. Freshman Daniel Davidson struck out the side in the sixth. Sophomore Adam Hanson was effective in two scoreless innings of work before giving way to senior Dave Bush who pitched the ninth inning. Bush, who finished second nationally in saves with 16, was credited with his first save of the season.

Although Mathias has started just two of the team's five games at catcher, he has proven to be a juggernaut with the bat. In his two games, he has a team-leading .714 batting average, going 5-for-7 with a double and three RBI.

Wake Forest (4-1) has won 38 of the last 40 games at home against non-conference opponents. The Deacons will put that mark on the line again on Friday against Cincinnati in the first of a three-game weekend series. Games times for the series with the Bearcats are 2:30 on Friday and 1:30 on Saturday and Sunday.