April 7, 2002

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Ben Ingold's two-run single capped a six-run eighth inning that gave the seventh-ranked Wake Forest baseball team a 7-6 win over 12th-ranked North Carolina on Sunday at Hooks Stadium. The Deacons won the series, their eighth straight ACC series win dating back to March 2001.

In the eighth, two singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out. Nick Blue walked to bring in one run. With the tying run at the plate, the Tar Heels brought in Chris Maples who picked up a save on Saturday night. A wild pitch followed by Ryan Johnson's two-run single cut the lead to 6-5.

After another pitching change and another wild pitch, pinch hitter Steve LeFaivre was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting the table for Ingold's heroics. Ingold laced a single to right field, scoring two runs, including Johnson from second, the go-ahead run.

Dave Bush (4-1), who came on in the eighth, pitched out of trouble in the ninth to get credit for the win. Maples took the loss, falling to 0-2.

North Carolina had built a 6-1 lead behind a pair of home runs from Maples and the performance of starting pitcher Daniel Moore who struck out nine batters in seven-plus innings. Meanwhile, Wake Forest reliever Seth Hill kept the Deacons within shouting distance. Hill fanned a career-high nine batters in 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits.

In the fourth inning, D'Antona hammered a solo home run, his third of the weekend and tenth of the season.

The Deacons improve to 25-6 overall, 8-3 in the ACC, their best start in school history. North Carolina fell to 22-11 (9-3). Wake Forest will host Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday at Hooks Stadium. First pitch is at 3:00 p.m. and the broadcast can be heard on WakeForestSports.com.