Gold Claims Series with 6-5 Win in Game Three
Brooks goes 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored

Nov. 8, 2009

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Junior outfielder Steven Brooks had a pair of hits, driving in two runs and scoring twice to lead the Gold team to a 6-5 series-clinching win on Sunday in game three of the Black & Gold World Series.

With the win, the Gold team claimed a 2-1 win in the fall series.

Brooks led Gold offensively on the day, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs driven in and also crossed the plate twice. Bentley Heyman and Mac Williamson also drove in runs in the victory.

For the Black team, Casey Wadkins continued his strong performance in the series, recording three hits in five plate appearances. Patrick Blair drove in three runs on his first home run of the series, while Shane Kroker and Ryan Lloyd each had two hits.

Austin Stadler earned his second win of the series on the mound for Gold. Stadler threw three hitless innings, but did allow one unearned run, while striking out two batters. Matt Conway received the loss for Black, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three in three innings of work.

Zach White threw three scoreless innings to earn the save.

In relief for the Black team, Eli Robins and Ryan McGrath each pitched well. Robins pitched two hitless innings, while McGrath threw a scoreless inning.

Black grabbed the lead with a run in the bottom of the second. Conway reached on a throwing error by Heyman and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt at first base. Jack Carey drove in Conway on a ground out to short.

The Gold team answered right back with three runs in the top of the third. Martin Kelly led off the inning with a single down the left field line and moved to third on a throwing error by Conway on a pickoff attempt. After a strikeout by Taylor Kaprive, Brooks tied the game on his double to left field. After Brooks moved to third on a wild pitch, he crossed the plate on a double to the left-center field gap by Heyman. Heyman moved to third when Stadler flied out to center. Williamson drove in Heyman on a double to center field to make the score 3-1.

Gold added three more runs in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Kelly drew a base on balls and moved to second on a single by Kaprive. Brooks had his second run-scoring hit of the day with a single that scored Kelly. A defensive miscue by Black allowed Gold to add two more runs as Blair's throwing error scored Kaprive from third and Brooks from first to put Gold in front 6-1.

The Black team was able to get back in the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Jack Carey walked and Ryan Lloyd and Wadkins had back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs. Carey scored the first run of the inning on a passed ball. Blair cleared the bases with a home run over the left-field fence, trimming the lead to 6-5.

White came in and was able to shut out the Black team over the final three innings. Black had its best chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Conway led off the inning with a walk. After the next two batters were retired, Wadkins singled through the right side to advance Conway to second. With Blair at the play, Williamson made an excellent diving catch in foul territory down the left field line to end the game and give Gold a 6-5 win.

The conclusion of the Black & Gold World Series wraps up the fall season for Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons open the 2010 regular season on February 19 at home against Dayton at 4 p.m. (ET).