March 3, 2009

Wake Forest-UNC Wilmington Notes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - After having its last four games cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, the Wake Forest baseball team returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 4, traveling to UNC Wilmington for the team's first road game of 2009. First pitch at Brooks Field is set for 6 p.m. (ET).

The Deacons were originally scheduled to face Elon on Wednesday afternoon, but poor field conditions at Latham Park forced the cancellation of the game. At this time, the game will not be rescheduled.

Wake Forest has had its last four games cancelled due to rain and snow. The Deacs were scheduled to play four games this past weekend at the Wake Forest Baseball Tournament presented by Hampton Inn & Sleep Inn, but were only able to get in one game after rain cancelled the last two days of the tournament. Wake's home game on Tuesday against UNC Wilmington was cancelled due to poor field conditions at Wake Forest Baseball Park after several inches of snow fell in the Winston-Salem area early Monday morning.

The Demon Deacons enter the game against UNCW with a 6-0 record, which is the best start to a season since 1964, when the Deacs opened the year with 10 straight wins. Wake Forest has started to garner national attention for its solid start, receiving nine votes in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Baseball Poll.

Wake Forest has scored 70 runs in its first six games of the season. The Deacs have scored in double figures in five games this year. As a team, Wake is hitting .374, which ranks second in the ACC.

UNC Wilmington also enters Wednesday's game with an unblemished record, coming into the game at 7-0. The Seahawks are coming off a three-game sweep of Big Ten foe Michigan State. Grayson Evans leads UNCW with a .423 batting average and a team-high 11 RBIs.

As a team, UNC Wilmington is hitting .274 on the season. The Seahawk pitching staff has compiled an earned run average of 3.86. Sophomore Stephen Harrold was named to the preseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award list, while sophomore Cameron Roth was named to the Wallace Award watch list.

Freshman right hander Daniel Marrs will take the hill for Wake Forest on Wednesday night. Marrs enters the game with a 1-0 record and a 1.17 earned run average. The Midlothian, Va., native will be making his third appearance and second start of the season. He last pitched on Tuesday, February 24, against Appalachian State, pitching five scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Marrs allowed just two hits, while striking out six and walking five against the Mountaineers.

UNC Wilmington will counter with sophomore righty Justin Bradley. Bradley enters the game with an 0-0 record and a 4.50 ERA in two appearances, including one start. Bradley's last appearance came on Tuesday, February 24, against the College of Charleston. He allowed three runs on six hits over six innings, while striking out three and walking one and earned a no decision.

Live stats for the game will be available at uncwsports.com and a recap will be available at WakeForestSports.com.

Records
Wake Forest - 6-0, 0-0 ACC
UNC Wilmington - 7-0, 0-0 CAA

Tentative Pitching Matchup
RHP Daniel Marrs (Fr., 1-0, 1.17) vs. RHP Justin Bradley (So., 0-0, 4.50)

Rankings (ESPN/BA/Rivals/NCBWA)
Wake Forest - RV/NR/NR/NR
UNC Wilmington - RV/NR/NR/RV

Internet Coverage:
Live stats for the game will be available at uncwsports.com.