May 5, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Freshman Brad Kledzik allowed one hit over 6.0 innings to lead No. 19 Wake Forest past No. 12 Florida State, 4-2, in the opener of their ACC series Friday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. With the victory, the Demon Deacons improve to 31-14 overall and 15-7 in the ACC, while the Seminoles drop to 36-12 and 13-9. Kledzik (5-2) was in control for much of the afternoon. After the right-handed hurler allowed a one-out double to Ryne Malone in the top of the first inning, he did not allow another Seminole hit the rest of his outing. In fact, Florida State did not even get a ball out of the infield, inside the foul line, until a pair of fly outs in the top of the sixth inning. Kledzik, who has worked at least 6.0 innings in six of his eight ACC starts, struck out a career-high eight batters, but also walked a career-high five. The Fairfax Station, Va. native retired seven straight Seminoles in one stretch and punched out the side for the first time in his brief career in the top of the second inning. Kledzik lowered his season earned-run average to 3.53. After senior Kyle Young cruised through a perfect seventh inning, the Demon Deacons called upon sophomore closer Ben Hunter. The righty struggled with his command. Hunter had not issued a walk over his previous six outings, but allowed free passes to two of the first three Seminoles he faced in the top of the eighth. After Buster Posey beat out a bunt single to load the bases with just one out, Florida State cut the score to 4-1 on Tommy Oravetz's RBI fielder's choice. Tony Thomas Jr. brought the Seminoles within a pair of runs, 4-2, with a RBI single, but Hunter regrouped and fanned pinch hitter Josh Spivey to end the threat. The Seminoles made some noise again in their half of the ninth inning. Hunter drilled Mark Gildea to open the frame, but fanned Danny Diaz before Shane Robinson followed with a single putting the tying run on base. After a passed ball allowed both runners to move into scoring position, Hunter got Malone to fly out and then struck out Dennis Guinn looking to end the game.
Hunter pitched 2.0 innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits. He walked two, but also punched out three. The two earned runs were just the third and fourth for Hunter in ACC action this season. Wake Forest grabbed a early lead with a four-run third inning. After redshirt senior Grant Achilles drew a leadoff walk, redshirt sophomore Eric Williams laid down a sacrifice bunt that Malone booted at third base allowing Williams to reach. Freshman Evan Ocheltree followed with a deep fly ball to center field advancing Achilles to third base. Florida State starter Tyler Chambliss then plunked freshman Dustin Hood and freshman Allan Dykstra to give the Deacs a 1-0 lead. Junior Matt Antonelli followed with a huge two-run double down the right field line pushing the lead to 3-0. Sophomore Brett Linnenkohl plated the final run of the inning with an RBI ground out. The 4-0 lead proved to be enough for Kledzik, Young and Hunter. Chambliss (10-3) was tremendous in a losing effort. The right-handed hurler went 7.0 innings and allowed just four runs, two earned, on four hits. He fanned nine and walked just two. Chambliss threw 126 pitches, 77 for strikes. Jimmy Marshall tossed a perfect 1.0 inning with a pair of strikeouts. Antonelli, an All-American and Dick Howser Award candidate, went 2-for-3 with two RBI. He extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games. Fellow Howser Award candidate Dykstra went 1-for-3 with a run scored and RBI. Wake Forest returns to action with the second game of the series Saturday afternoon. First pitch at Hooks Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. -- WakeForestSports.com -- |
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