Wake Forest Defeats Alabama in Game 1 of Super Regionals

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 5-4 in Game 1 of the Winston-Salem Super Regional on Saturday afternoon.

Right-handed pitcher Luke Holman started on the mound for the Crimson Tide. He pitched 5.2 innings, recording six hits, five runs (four earned), eight strikeouts, and no walks.

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Wake Forest got off to a quick 3-0 lead in the first two innings. The first run came off of a solo home run by center fielder Tommy Hawke in the first inning on Holman's first pitch of the day. The next two runs came in the second inning, the first a solo home run by second baseman Justin Johnson and the second came from a wild pitch, scoring right fielder Pierce Bennett from third base.

The Crimson Tide responded, scoring three unanswered runs in the third and fourth innings. Center fielder Caden Rose got Alabama on the board in the third inning with a solo home run and third baseman Colby Shelton tied up the ballgame in the fourth inning with a two-run home run.

Wake Forest broke up the tie in the fifth inning with a solo home run by designated hitter Danny Corona to put the Demon Deacons up 4-3. The run was controversial due to a check swing call on the prior pitch that kept the inning alive for Corona to hit the go-ahead shot instead of being an inning-ending strike three. Alabama assistant coach Matt Reida was ejected from the game due to arguing that call.

The Demon Deacons extended their lead in the sixth inning with an RBI single by left fielder Adam Cecere to put them up 5-3.

Right-handed pitcher Aidan Moza came in for relief in the sixth inning. He pitched the remainder of the game (2.1 innings), recording two strikeouts, one hit, and no runs or walks.

Rose cut Alabama's deficit In half in the eighth inning with a solo home run, his second on the day, however the Crimson Tide offense could not do enough to complete a comeback.

Game 2 of the Winston-Salem Super Regional will be on Sunday June 11, 2023. First pitch is TBD. Coverage will be on Tide 100.9 FM and the Tide 100.9 app which is free to download in the App Store.