The No. 14 Wake Forest baseball team started their 2025 regular season in spectacular fashion, securing two decisive victories over Long Island University (LIU) and Marist on Opening Day at David F. Couch Ballpark.
The Demon Deacons (2-0) outscored their opponents 25-6 while maintaining a .388 batting average (26-for-67) across the two games, showcasing their offensive firepower and strong pitching depth.
Game 1: Wake Forest 14, LIU 2
Wake Forest opened the season with a mercy-rule victory over LIU (1-1), powered by a six-run fourth inning, including a 368-foot grand slam from junior Marek Houston.
Key Moments:
- First Inning Surge:
- Junior Jack Winnay started the scoring with a two-run double.
- Freshman Dalton Wentz and sophomore Javar Williams added RBI hits for a 4-0 lead.
- Third Inning Explosion:
- The Deacs tacked on four more runs, including RBIs from Jimmy Keenan, Wentz, Matt Scannell, and Houston.
- Fourth Inning Grand Slam:
- Houston’s grand slam capped off a six-run inning, extending the lead to 14-0.
- Pitching Dominance:
- Junior Logan Lunceford (1-0) made his first start, striking out seven batters in four scoreless innings.
- Griffin Green and Nate Brittain pitched scoreless relief innings to seal the win.
Game 2: Wake Forest 11, Marist 4
Wake Forest continued their offensive dominance in the second game, pulling away for an 11-4 victory over Marist (0-2).
Key Moments:
- Second Inning Comeback:
- Houston drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.
- Ethan Conrad delivered a two-run double to give Wake Forest a 3-1 lead.
- Fourth Inning Breakout:
- Wake added four more runs, highlighted by RBI singles from Lewis and Wentz.
- Freshman Matt Conte notched his first collegiate hit and RBI.
- Houston’s Second Home Run:
- The junior shortstop crushed a solo shot in the fifth inning, his second home run of the day.
- Pitching Contributions:
- Joe Ariola and Matt Bedford combined for six strikeouts.
- Will Ray, Luke Schmolke, and Luke Billings pitched three scoreless innings to close the game.
Standout Performances
Marek Houston – Offensive Star
- Two home runs, including a grand slam.
- Seven RBIs, leading the team.
Ethan Conrad – Impact Transfer
- 4-for-9 with three doubles and three RBIs.
- Helped anchor the middle of the lineup.
Dalton Wentz – Impressive Collegiate Debut
- 4-for-8 with four RBIs over both games.
- Showcased clutch hitting and defensive skills.
Logan Lunceford – Strong Pitching Debut
- Four shutout innings with seven strikeouts against LIU.
- Helped set the tone for the pitching staff.
Coach Walter’s Thoughts
Head coach Tom Walter praised the team’s offense, defense, and bullpen depth after the strong start:
“Anytime you get two wins in one day, it’s a good day. Our bullpen was fantastic, and we had some big performances at the plate. Marek Houston, Kade Lewis, and Javar Williams all had great at-bats. Our defense was strong, and I was happy to see Matt Conte get his first college hits. Hopefully, we can get at least one game in tomorrow with the weather.”
Staggering Statistics
- Wake Forest has now won 11 consecutive season openers (since 2015).
- The Deacs are 27-1 in February games over the last four seasons, outscoring opponents 337-78.
- The pitching staff held LIU and Marist to just six total runs, proving depth and efficiency on the mound.
What’s Next?
Wake Forest looks to continue their hot start in upcoming matchups this weekend, pending weather conditions. With strong offensive production and deep pitching, the Demon Deacons are poised for another dominant season in 2025.
Stay tuned for updates as Wake Forest baseball continues their journey toward ACC play and the College World Series.
