March 21, 2009

Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest scored three runs in the first inning, but was held hitless for the rest of the game as NC State evened the three-game series with a 10-3 win on Saturday night at Wake Forest Baseball Park.

Wake Forest drops to 10-9 and 1-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while NC State improves to 11-10 and 2-6 in league play.

Jake Buchanan improved his record to 2-2 with his second complete game of the season. Buchanan allowed three runs on three hits, all in the first inning. He struck out eight and walked three. Alex Wiesner suffered the loss in relief for the Demon Deacons, giving up a run on two walks, while not retiring a batter.

Brad Kledzik pitched well in the starting role for Wake Forest, giving up three runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Kledzik struck out seven and walked two batters.

Dustin Hood, Weldon Woodall and Shane Kroker each recorded a hit and a RBI in the game.

Wake Forest scored first with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Micah Jarrett was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Jarrett scored after Hood doubled down the left-field line to give the Deacs a 1-0 lead. Mike Murray walked to put runners at first and second with no outs. Carlos Lopez grounded into a double play to third base, with Hood retired at third for the first two outs of the inning. Woodall hit a two-out single up the middle to score Murray and extend Wake Forest's lead to 2-0. Evan Ocheltree drew a four-pitch walk to put runners at first and second with two outs. Kroker singled to center to score Woodall for the third run of the inning.

NC State answered with two runs in the top of the second inning. Dusty Quattlebaum led off the inning with his first home run of the season down the right-field line to cut the Wake Forest lead to 3-1. After Devon Cartwright struck out swinging, Dallas Poulk and Pat Ferguson hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and third with one out. Andrew Ciencin hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Poulk and make the score 3-2.

The Wolfpack had a scoring chance in the third, but great Wake Forest defense held NC State scoreless. The Wolfpack loaded the bases with one out. Dallas Poulk hit a smash to shortstop, but Kroker made a great pick on the ball and started a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and keep Wake Forest ahead 3-2.

NC State took its first lead of the game with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Ciencin led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. Ciencin stole third with two outs in the inning. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Wake Forest brought in Ryan Bouton to relieve Alex Wiesner. Drew Poulk hit a two-out, pinch-hit single to center field to score Ciencin and Wilson to give the Wolfpack a 4-3 lead.

The Wolfpack added two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Dallas Poulk led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Ciencin grounded out to third for the second out of the inning, Wade Moore hit a two-run home run, his third of the season to give NC State a 6-3 lead.

NC State scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Dallas Poulk singled to left field to score Maynard for NC State's seventh run of the game. Drew Poulk crossed the plate when Ferguson grounded into a fielder's choice. The final two runs scored on the night on a fielding error by Lopez off the bat of Moore.

Wake Forest was unable to amount any offense against Buchanan after the first inning. At one point, Buchanan retired 21 straight Wake Forest hitters and the Deacs only got one runner past first base after the first inning.

Wake Forest and NC State play the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. (ET). Both teams have yet to announce a starter for the series finale.