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April 25, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The University of Virginia baseball team dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the first contest of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at WFU’s Hooks Stadium. With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Demon Deacons scored the game-winning run when four consecutive batters walked, the later walk resulted in the difference making run.
After playing through six and a half innings of scoreless play, Wake Forest scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and took a 1-0 lead when Ben Ingold walked to reach base before he came around to score a run on a RBI-single to left field by Adam Bourassa three batters later.
However, Virginia answered right back in the top of the eighth inning and tied the game at 1-1 when Matt Dunn connected on a RBI-double down the left field line that drove in Kyle Werman to score a run. Werman got on base with a walk to lead of the side for UVa.
But the Demon Deacons came back in the bottom of the eighth inning and regained the lead at 2-1 after four consecutive WFU batters walked to reach base. The fourth walk, by Chris Getz, resulted in the game-winning play that allowed Steve LeFaivre to score the go ahead run from third base.
UVa’s starting pitcher Andrew Dobies pitched 7.0 strong innings and allowed one run on four hits to go along with four strikeouts in a no decision. The Cavaliers’ Gabe Spooner (0-2) took the loss after going 0.2 innings.
WFU starting pitcher Kyle Sleeth (7-2) picked up the win after going 8.0 innings and allowed just one run on five hits to go along with a game-high six strikeouts.
With the loss, Virginia’s record falls to 24-17 overall, 7-8 in the ACC. The victory improves Wake Forest’s record to 26-15 overall, 8-10 in the conference. WFU takes a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
The Cavaliers and Demon Deacons will return to action on Saturday, April 26th when Virginia and Wake Forest play the second contest of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 PM at Hooks Stadium.
— UVa —