The Wake Forest Demon Deacons edged the Liberty Flames, 8-7, Wednesday evening at David F. Couch Stadium.
The Demon Deacons hit three home runs in the contest, as seven of Wake Forest’s eight runs came by the long ball.
Flames catcher Jonathan Embry belted his fifth home run of the year and scored three times.
Liberty drops to 24-15 on the year. Wake Forest snaps a three-game losing streak, improving to 19-23 on the season. The Flames and Demon Deacons split their two meetings this season, as Liberty defeated Wake Forest, 8-4, on April 4 at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
Liberty struck first, scoring three runs on one hit in the top of the second. After shortstop Cam Locklear and Embry were hit by pitches to lead off the inning, right fielder Ayden Karraker tripled to the bottom of the center field wall for a 2-0 advantage. Two batters later, Karraker scored on ground ball double play off the bat of center fielder D.J. Artis for a 3-0 edge.
Wake Forest answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Shane Muntz walked to open the inning and with one out, tallied the Deacons’ first run of the frame on a single by right fielder Micheal Luowig. After shortstop Bruce Steel was hit by a pitch to load the bases, center fielder D.J. Poteet ripped his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall, giving Wake Forest a 5-3 lead.
The two teams traded round trippers in the third. With one out in the top of the third, first baseman Dylan Allen walked and Locklear reached on a fielder choice. Embry followed by lining a 3-1 pitch off the right field foul pole for a 6-5 Liberty advantage. In the bottom of the inning, third baseman Johnny Aiello hit his eighth home run of the year, tying the contest at 6-6.
Wake Forest left fielder Chris Lanzilli gave the host Deacons a two-run edge in the sixth. With two out and a man aboard, Lanzilli connected on his fourth home run of the season for an 8-6 lead.
Liberty cut the Wake Forest to one in the eighth. With one out, Embry walked, pinch hitter Brandon Rohrer singled and pinch hitter Matt Allen walked to load the bases. Artis followed with a fielder’s choice grounder to plate Embry and trim the Deacons’ lead to 8-7. But it was all the Flames got, as pitcher Bobby Hearn struck out left fielder Tre Todd to end the inning and hold the home team’s lead.
Liberty reliever Zach Clinton falls to 6-3 on the season. The right-hander, the second of three Flames to take the mound in the contest, gave up three runs on two hits over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Wake Forest’s Tyler Witt records his first win of the year, raising his record to 1-3. The reliever pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Rayne Supple retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season.
The seven Demon Deacon pitchers in the contest set a program record with nine hit by pitches.
Liberty managed four hits in the contest. Wake Forest had six hits. Neither team committed an error.
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