Box Score WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Andrew Moritz (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) belted his first career home run to extend his hitting streak to 18 games in a 6-4 loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Tuesday night. Moritz has now reached base in 33 of 34 games this year, including 30-straight games. The Spartans fall to 25-9 on the year, while Wake Forest improves to 20-15.
“This was a tough loss tonight.” Head Coach Link Jarrett said, “(Jake) Lewis, his best start of the year by far. He got us far into the game. (Ben) Kerner came in and we couldn't get him dialed in enough. We decided to go to (Andrew) Wantz in the middle of the game instead of the end, we thought that was the right time to go to him. (Collin) Woody wasn't as sharp as he normally is tonight and we wanted to let him finish it off like we do, but it didn't work out. Offensively, We got on the board early, but we couldn't get over the hump. We had some chances, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities to put up a big inning. (Andrew) Moritz had a good at bat, L.J. (Kalawaia) swung the bat well today, but we didn't string enough together. “
Along with Moritz's home run, UNCG totaled nine hits in the game, led by two-hit performances from Dillon Stewart (Dunn, N.C./Brunswick CC) and Ryne Sigmon (Danville, Va./Danville CC). Stewart also scored two runs and drove in another.
Ben Spitznagel (Cincinnati, Ohio), L.J. Kalawaia (Wailuku, Hawai'i), Michael Goss (Cartersville, Ga./Chattanooga St. CC) and Jake Kusz (Durham, N.C./Riverside) all connected for one hit apiece. Stewart, Kusz, and Cesar Trejo (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale) all added RBI.
Jake Lewis (Wendell, N.C./Corinth Holders) started on the mound for UNCG, working 5.1 innings. Lewis allowed seven hits, four earned runs and struck out four hitters. Ben Kerner (Cary, N.C./Brunswick CC) worked 0.1 in relief, before Andrew Wantz (Holly Springs, N.C./Holly Springs) took over. Wantz went 1.1 innings, giving up just one hit. Collin Woody (Tampa, Fla./College of Central Florida) (2-2) worked the eighth inning and suffered the loss, giving up two runs while striking out one hitter.
The Spartans took an early lead, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Spitznagel and Kalawaia reached via singles before Woody walked to load the bases. Stewart flew out to foul territory in right, deep enough to bring in Spitznagel and give UNCG a 1-0 lead.
UNCG added another run to its lead in the top of the third. Moritz connected for his first home run as a Spartan, a no-doubter to right field to put UNCG up 2-0.
Wake Forest tied the game up at two in the bottom of the third inning. After three singles loaded the bases, another single from Gavin Sheets brought in the first run before a sacrifice fly from Will Craig tied the game up at two.
The Spartans regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Back-to-back singles from Stewart and Sigmon started the inning before a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position. Kusz flew out to right field to bring in Stewart and give UNCG the 3-2 lead.
The Demon Deacons answered back in their half of the sixth frame. After a lead off walk and single, a two-out walk loaded the bases. Jake Mueller singled to right field to bring in two runs and give Wake Forest a 4-3 lead.
UNCG tied the game back up in the top of the eighth. After a lead off single from Stewart, and a walk to Sigmon, Goss again sacrificed to move them into scoring position. After a walk to Kusz, Trejo hit a line drive to center, deep enough to score Stewart from third and tie the game at four.
Wake Forest took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, benefitting from five walks to score two runs and go up 6-4.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday, April 13th at 6:00 p.m. as they take on the same Demon Deacons at the UNCG Baseball Stadium for 90s night.
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