Feb. 22, 2004

Box Score

HOUSTON - When the ball came off the bat of J.B. Tucker in the top of the ninth inning, it looked like the Demon Deacons might have rallied all the way back from a 10-run deficit. But there was just enough breeze to keep the ball inside Reckling Park and Cal State Northridge held on to for a 13-12 victory over Wake Forest.

The Deacons mounted a furious, late rally with six runs in the eighth and three in the ninth but fell just short on Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park in Houston.

Trailing 13-3 heading into the eighth inning, the Deacons scored six runs in the eighth inning to cut the lead to 13-9. Nick Blue lined a two-run single. J.B. Tucker nailed a two-run double off the right field wall before Brad Scioletti tucked a single between the right fielder, second baseman and the foul line to cut the lead to 13-8. After a pitching change, Matt Miller got an RBI groundout.

Matador reliever Kyle Jean put out the fire in the eighth inning, but the Deacon hit parade continued in the ninth. Matt Antonelli's bases-loaded, two-run single trimmed the lead to 13-11.

Again, the Matadors went to the bullpen, turning to Phil Polanco. J.B. Tucker stepped in with runners on first and third and one out. He drilled Polanco's 1-1 pitch to the warning track in the left field corner but the ballpark held it. Instead of a go-ahead three run homer, it was a sacrifice fly, making it 13-12. Brad Scioletti lined the next pitch back through the middle, but Polanco stabbed it on the mound and tossed to first to end the game.

Despite the wild finish, both starters figured into the decision. Cal State Northridge's Craig Baker (2-1) got the win while Wake Forest's Justin Keadle took the loss (0-1).

Freshman third baseman Matt Antonelli led the Deacons with four hits, raising his season average to .529. Blue was on base four times and drove in a pair of runs. J.B. Tucker was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI.

Cal State Northridge scored in each of the first three innings, highlighted by a five-run third inning. Northridge catcher Alberto Quintana blasted a two-out grand slam to right-center field. Six of the eight Matador runs were scored with two outs and on home runs.

Matt Miller broke a 0-for-8 slump in the biggest way possible, with a home run to right field in the fourth inning.

The Deacons crept within 8-3 in the fifth inning. J.B. Tucker's double down the right field line scored Casey Sterk. Moments later, Matt Antonelli scored on a passed ball.

Justin Keadle started for Wake Forest and took the loss in his Deacon debut. Keadle went three innings, giving up eight runs, seven earned, on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

Freshman left-hander Sean Souders came on in relief of Keadle. Souders became the ninth Deacon newcomer to see their first action in a Wake Forest uniform. Freshman reliever Charlie Mellies made his second appearance of the weekend and threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The Deacons have lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 1996. Cal State Northridge improved to 5-8.

Wake Forest's bright spots during the weekend were Ben Ingold's 6-for-13 performance at the plate. Casey Sterk was 5-for-12 with a pair of doubles and three RBI. As a team, the Deacons batted .312 for the weekend.

Wake Forest returns to the friendly confines of Hooks Stadium for its home opener on Tuesday afternoon. The Deacons open a seven-game homestand against Appalachian State at 2:30 p.m.