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Two-Time Defending Champion Wake Forest Eliminated By Virginia
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May 19, 2000
2000 ACC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
FORT MILL, SC
QUARTERFINAL ROUND
#7 Virginia 8, #4 Wake Forest 3
FORT MILL, S.C. – Luis Giraldo and Mark Rueffert each homered to spark three-run innings to lead seventh-seeded Virginia to an upset win over fourth-seeded Wake Forest that knocked the two-time defending champions out of the ACC Tournament at Knights Stadium.
Virginia wasted no time scoring one run in the first. Tim LaVigne singled into left field and was then advanced to third on a base hit by Jon Benick. He scored on a throwing error by Wake Forest center fielder Cory Sullivan.The Cavaliers added to their lead with three runs in the third. Benick singled to right and Giraldo doubled to moved Benick to third. Hunter Wyant grounded out to the second baseman to score Benick and move Giraldo to third. Rueffert hit a two-run homer over the left field fence to give the Cavaliers a 4-0 advantage.
Wake Forest pulled within two runs by scoring two in the top of the fourth. Left fielder Matt Price doubled to knock in Chase Voshell, who had reached base on a double of his own. Carlos Brackley scored Price with a single to left field. The Demon Deacons also added a run in the top of the fifth to close within 4-3.
But that was as close as the Deacons would get. After a scoreless sixth inning by both teams, Virginia again exploded for three runs in the seventh.
Giraldo led off the inning after being hit by a pitch and then moved to third on a double by Wyant. Rueffort doubled to right field to score both Giraldo and Wyant. David Stone reached on an error by the first baseman and Rueffort scored.
Virginia added a single run in the eighth inning with a shot over the fence in left-centerfield. It was his eighth home run of the season.Cavalier pitcher Dan Street earned the win, going the distance giving up just three runs (two earned) on seven hits. He improved to 4-0. Wake Forest starter Danny Borrell was tagged with the loss to fall to 6-2.
Virginia improved to 26-30-1 on the year while Wake Forest fell to 39-18-1. The Cavaliers advance to Saturday’s semifinal round.