April 25, 2015
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest scored three runs between the sixth and seventh innings and then held on late with solid relief pitching to take game two of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series with the University of Notre Dame baseball team, 4-2, and tie the series at one game apiece.
After a two-hour rain delay to start the game, Notre Dame (28-14, 12-11 ACC) took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by sophomore Kyle Fiala and an RBI fielder’s choice by Cavan Biggio. The Irish held that lead until the sixth inning, when Wake Forest All-America candidate Will Craig led off the inning with a solo homer that tied the game at two.
Just an inning later, Wake (24-20, 10-13 ACC) regained the lead on a Nate Mondou RBI single through the right side and then upped its advantage to two later in the frame on a fielder’s choice RBI by Justin Yurchak.
The Irish had a prime opportunity in the eighth inning to tie the game at four, as they loaded the bases on Craig, who switched from designated hitter to relief pitcher in the sixth inning. With only one out, the Deacs turned to RHP Parker Dunshee, who promptly struck out two Irish batters in a row to get out of the jam. He then worked around a two-out single in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
Between Craig (2-3) and Dunshee, the Irish managed just three hits and two walks – while striking out five times — in four innings.
For the game, Notre Dame recorded five hits and four walks.
Fiala led the Irish at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI to extend his on-base streak to 31 games. The streak is the fourth longest in a single season for Notre Dame since 2007.
Irish freshman righty Brandon Bielak started and earned the no-decision, as he went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs, nine hits and a walk while striking out five on 119 pitches. Fellow freshman righty Evy Ruibal (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing two runs, two hits and a walk in 2.2 innings in relief.
The two squads wrap up their series with a 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday rubber game that fans can follow through ESPN3’s video stream or WatchND’s audio stream (WHME 103.1 FM in South Bend). Links for both are on UND.com.
NOTE:
Notre Dame turned two more double plays Saturday to up its NCAA Division I leading total to 53 for the year. The Irish also lead the country in double plays per game, at more than 1.25 per contest.
–Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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