Wake Forest Suffers 5-1 Loss to Streaking No. 20 UNC Wilmington
Wilmington native Ryan Bouton pitches well in relief; Willy Fox homers

April 1, 2008

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. - No. 20 UNC Wilmington ran its winning streak to a national-best 21 games by shutting down Wake Forest, 5-1, Tuesday evening at Brooks Field.

The Demon Deacons fall to 12-14 on the season with the loss. The Seahawks move to 22-4 on the year, not having lost since Feb. 27.

Wake Forest fell behind early, as UNCW scored four runs over the first three innings. Other than a solo home run from Willy Fox in the third, the Deacons could not sustain a rally to catch up. The Seahawks pushed an insurance run across in the eighth.

Wake finished with just five hits and left 10 runners on base. The Deacs stranded a runner in scoring position in each the fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth innings.

The start of the game looked promising for the Deacs, as Wake Forest loaded the bases in the first inning. However, Wake could not plate a run leaving all three runners stranded. Ben Terry led off with a four-pitch walk. One out later, Willy Fox hit a controversial single to deep center. UNCW centerfielder Jason Appel made the catch on Fox's ball, but as he slammed hard into the wall the ball popped out of his glove. The umpires ruled that Fox was safe, putting runners at first and second. Mike Murray walked one out later, but Seahawk starter Jesse Haney got out of the jam with a groundout.

UNC Wilmington took an early 2-0 lead in its half of the first inning. Alex Hill led off the frame with a double to left center. One out later, Appel singled to left center to drive in Hill with the first run of the game. Mark Carver followed with a single through the left side before Nate Hall doubled off the rightfield wall to drive in Appel.

The Seahawks added another run in the second. Jes Snyder led off with a double down the leftfield line and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Hill drove Snyder in with a sacrifice fly to center. Negus threw just nine pitches in the inning despite allowing the run.

The Deacons got on the board with a leadoff home run by Fox in the third. Fox drove a 3-1 pitch from Haney to leftfield for his second homer of the season.

UNCW got the run back in its half of the third. Carver reached on a one-out walk and moved to second when Shane French was issued a two-out walk. Cody Stanley followed by grounding a single up the middle to plate Carver and give the home squad a 4-1 advantage.

Both teams went scoreless over the next four innings before the Seahawks added to their lead with an unearned run off reliever Ryan McGrath in the eighth. French led off by reaching on an error. Stanley followed with a hard-hit double to rightfield, driving in French. A walk and a single loaded the bases with no outs. However, McGrath bounced back to get consecutive strikeouts before giving way to lefty Alex Wiesner. Wiesner got Appel to fly out to left to strand the three runners.

Wake Forest put the leadoff man in the ninth, courtesy of a Tyler Smith walk, but could not bring him around.

Negus (2-1) took the loss for the Deacs. The sophomore righthander, who was working on a limited pitch count, went three innings and allowed four runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out one. Negus was making his first career start after seeing action in 35 career games out of the bullpen, including 10 already this season.

Wilmington native Ryan Bouton turned in 3 2/3 innings of outstanding relief. In just his third career appearance, Bouton held the Seahawks scoreless while giving up just one hit. He left the game with two on and two out in the seventh, giving way to Ryan McGrath.

McGrath was able to get the Deacons out of the jam unscathed. The submarine righthander went on to pitch an inning of relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Fox led the Deacs at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

Lefty Kyle Lewis (1-0) picked up the win in relief. Lewis pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three.

Haney received a no-decision for UNCW. The righthander pitched 4 1/3 innings, surrendering one run on three hits. He walked three and struck out a pair.

Allen Flood pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Lewis. Flood did not allow a hit while striking out one and walking one.

Stanley led UNC Wilmington at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a double and a stolen base.

Wake Forest returns to action tomorrow when it hosts Coastal Carolina at Hooks Stadium. RHP Ben Hunter (1-4, 8.90) will start for the Deacons, while LHP Cody Wheeler (2-0, 5.33) will go for the Chanticleers. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.