HIGH POINT, N.C. – Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the High Point University baseball team answered the call and came back to win the 11-9 ballgame over Wake Forest on a walk-off grand slam from
Adam Stuart. Reliever
Connor Smith picked up the win on the mound while four Panthers recorded multi-hit performances, led by
Blake Sutton's three hit piece.
Site: Williard Stadium
Score: High Point 11, Wake Forest 9
Records: High Point (15-27), Wake Forest (28-13)
W: Connor Smith (1-0)
L: Camden Minacci (2-3)
Head coach
Joey Hammond: "There's no words to describe this, I'm just so proud. I told the guys, "listen it's another game," and our guys took it personal in a sense that they wanted to fight for me, and it means a lot. But I'm just proud of them for executing, that's such a surreal moment. Again, euphoria all over, that's what you dream of when you're six years old, you dream of being up in that spot. I'm so proud of
Adam Stuart, he's done so much for us all season long, and he's had some tough luck on some balls right at people. But for him to come through in that moment, it is so special. Of course, I've got a soft spot for the guys over there; I love those guys, they're family as well. But I can't be more proud of this family that I've got right now and that they came through, it is such a special moment, and again I'm speechless. I've got no real words to describe this, but our pitchers did a great job of fighting all night long and keeping us in the game. I know we gave up nine runs, but that's a really elite offense, and to be in the game at the end says a lot. Our offense did a really good job of fighting and taking advantage of opportunities that they gave us, and we've been playing really good baseball this last week. So again, can't say enough about how proud I am of our guys and their fight and they're willing to just continue to go and on. We talked about that from day one, and they executed it perfectly tonight."
Panther Particulars
The Demon Deacons got out to a fast start in the top of the first as they scored four runs on five hits, while the Panthers recorded one hit in the first but could not answer back with any runs to keep the Wake Forest lead at 4-0. HPU starter
Parker Dean settled in in the second inning, retiring the visitors in order on two fly outs and a strikeout.
The Panthers got on the board in the second as Sutton notched a two-out single to left before
Sam Zayicek doubled to left center, scoring Sutton and pulling HPU within 4-1.
HPU kept clawing in the third when
Javon Fields led off with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch.
Peyton Carr drew a full-count walk to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Charlie Klingler singled to pick up the RBI and move Carr to second base.
Stuart reached on a fielder's choice as Klingler was out at second base, but a fielding error by the first baseman allowed Carr to score as well to bring the Panthers within one run.
Wake Forest had a solo home run in the fourth to extend the lead, 5-3, but back-to-back home runs from
Cole Singsank and Sutton to lead off the bottom half of the inning tied the game at five runs apiece.
Zayicek followed up with a single and moved to second when
Jackson Melton walked. After a pitching change, Fields reached base on a throwing error that allowed Zayicek to score and put two Panthers in scoring position with no outs.
A sacrifice fly out from Carr scored Melton and advanced Fields to third to give HPU their first lead of the night, 7-5.
The visitors would not go away easily, as they once again tied the game in the fifth with consecutive homers of their own. Both teams were held scoreless through the next two innings until the Demon Deacons started a rally in the eighth as the lead-off batter reached base on an error and advanced to third base on a throwing error. The next batter walked to put runners on the corners with no outs before a double plated a run to give Wake Forest the 8-7 advantage. The Deacs added another insurance run in the top of the ninth, holding the 9-7 lead with just a half inning left for the Panthers to rally.
After being held scoreless for the past four innings, High Point rallied with two singles from Fields and Carr to put runners at first and second with one out.
Cameron Lee pinch ran for Carr to add more speed to the basepaths. As
Charlie Klingler his a ground ball to the right side with the threat of a game-ending double play looming, a fielding error on the second baseman allowed Lee to reach second base safely while Klingler reached first with Fields on third.
After a ball low, Stuart's shot to center field caused eruptions from the Panther dugout as High Point celebrated its second walk-off win over the Demon Deacons in the past three seasons and picked up the 11-9 victory.
Up Next: The Panthers hold off with competition until Sunday, May 1
st when they travel to Duke for a doubleheader at Jack Coombs Field in Durham. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.
#GoHPU
