Season Outlook

With 10 newcomers on the roster, the Deacons are opening...... A New Chapter When Wake Forest fans sit in the bleachers on sun-drenched afternoons at Hooks Stadium this spring, they’ll want to pick up a roster card on their way into the park. With 10 newcomers on the roster, including the potential for up to seven new starters in the field and three new starting pitchers, fans will need help identifying their new favorite players. Gone are six seniors and three juniors that played big roles in three NCAA Tournament berths and the 2001 ACC Championship. Their departures have created opportunities for younger players and newcomers to step to the forefront. The Deacons have gone back to work. With so many starting jobs up for grabs, fall practices were more competitive than ever. Some of the veterans say the team’s chemistry is better than ever. These Deacons are ready to write their own chapter in the Wake Forest record book. In 2004, they get their chance.

Starting Pitching Honorable Mention Freshman All-American in The For the first time since 2001, Wake Forest will 2002 and has outstanding ability. Though he suf- The Deacons will rely on several individuals, have a new Friday starter. First round draft pick fered through a sophomore slump last year, but most notably sophomore Kirby Wedekind. Kyle Sleeth occupied that spot for the past two everyone surrounding the program has every con- Wedekind shut down some of the ACC’s best years and posted a 21-3 record. fidence in Morley to rebound and have a big jun- offenses last season as a freshman and could Pretty big shoes to fill, needless to say. No ior year. develop into one of league’s premier relievers. one player will be asked to During the fall, sophomore One newcomer that could make a big impact post statistics like those. Returning (3): right-hander Kyle Young beat is freshman Lee Land. A 13th round pick by the Brian Bach, Jr., RHP (6-2, 3.89 ERA) Instead, the Deacons Tim Morley, Jr., LHP (2-5, 6.61 ERA) a cast of candidates for Pirates last June, Land turned down a contract believe they have more arms Kyle Young, So., RHP (5-0, 4.57 ERA) the Sunday starting role. offer and opted instead, to come to Wake Forest. than in recent years. That Lost (2): Young has impressed coach- He is a hard-throwing righty with the ability to includes more options among Seth Hill (2-6, 5.59 ERA) es and players alike with his become a closer-type pitcher. Kyle Sleeth (7-3, 2.81 ERA) starting pitchers, more aggressiveness and com- The 6-foot-4 Daniel Davidson is the most expe- options out of the bullpen. Newcomers (2): mand. rienced pitcher on the staff with 33 appearances First year pitching coach Josh Ellis (Fr., RHP, Lexington, Ky.) Young was 5-0 last season under his belt. Justin Keadle (Jr., RHP, Cypress [Calif.] JC) Curtis Brown, who comes to as a freshman during mid- Senior Indy Wilkinson and fourth-year junior Wake Forest from Richmond, inherits a good mix week games. His success as a Sunday Danny Mackey Returning (4): of returning players and talented newcomers. starter could mirror the team’s level of Kirby Wedekind, So., RHP (1-2, 4.78 ERA) provide leader- The Deacons expect the weekend rotation to success in 2004. Daniel Davidson, Jr., RHP (0-2, 5.27 ERA) ship for a young Indy Wilkinson, Sr., RHP (1-0, 5.27 ERA) begin with Cypress (Calif.) Junior College transfer Freshman Josh Ellis and junior Brian Danny Mackey, R-Jr., RHP (Did Not in ‘03) staff. Justin Keadle. The right-hander has already Bach, both right-handers, will give the The freshman Lost (1): shown to be capable of pitching against top-flight Deacons two of the best mid-week Adam Hanson (5-4, 5.02 ERA) trio of Andrew talent after striking out 53 Cape Cod batters this starters in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Knox, Charlie Newcomers (4): past summer, second in the league while pitching Ellis was a Mr. Baseball in Kentucky Mellies and Andrew Knox (Fr., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.) for Yarmouth-Dennis. and Bach is a proven winner at the col- Lee Land (Fr., RHP, Durham, N.C.) Sean Souders Junior lefty Tim Morley figures to hold lege level with a career record of 12-4. Charlie Mellies (Fr., RHP, Clifton,Va.) give the Sean Souders (Fr., LHP, Berkeley, Calif.) down the Saturday spot in the Both Ellis and Bach would be viable Deacons three location. Morley was an options as weekend starters. talented, young arms. All will work out of the 16 Wake Forest Baseball Season Outlook bullpen. Knox chose Wake Forest over several School Football and Hockey Player of the Year, and high-profile schools. The coaching staff believes Wake Forest returns some familiar faces in the the runner-up in baseball. Mellies is just beginning to scratch the surface of infield. The powerful Lee Land, who will also see time his ability. Souders is a lefty who will likely be in Fifth year senior at pitcher, played third base in high Returning (4): the role of a short reliever. Nick Blue, a second Grant Achilles, Jr., R/R (.000, 0, 1) school but worked at first base this team All-ACC second Nick Blue, R-Sr., S/R (.355, 1, 40, 21 SB) past fall. Ben Ingold, Jr., R/R (.317, 1, 34) baseman in 2002, is Brad Scioletti, Sr., R/R (.313, 4, 26) Doug Riepe is one of the back from a shoulder team’s senior veteran leaders. He Lost (3): injury that limited him Jamie D’Antona (.360, 21, 82) has seen time at both corner infield to only one at-bat and Chris Getz (.305, 2, 19) spots as well as the . He Jeff Ruziecki (.283, 7, 41) a redshirt year in 2003. belted four home runs last season Junior Ben Ingold Newcomers (2): and was the team’s most frequent Matt Antonelli (Fr., Peabody, Mass.) begins his third year as pinch-hitter. Lee Land (Fr., Durham, N.C.) the team’s starting Junior Grant Achilles is one shortstop. He was voted by his teammates as of the most hard-working players on the squad Wake Forest’s best defensive player by a wide and provides depth in the middle infield. Catchers margin. In a sense, the Deacons are adding two bodies On the corners, the Deacons have a couple of Outfield behind the dish in 2004. options. No matter who is in the outfield, the Deacons Returning (3): First, there is J.B. Tucker, Steven Malinowski, So., R/R (.226, 1, 20) Senior Brad Scioletti is a will have a new look in 2004. That’s because a transfer from Ryder Mathias, R-Jr., R/R (.261, 1, 8) versatile player that has seen Wake Forest had three senior outfielders last year. Jonathan Portnoy, Jr., R/R (.500, 0, 0) Mississippi State who time at every position in his first The outfield will be built around Matt Miller, a will likely earn the start- Lost (0): two years at Wake transfer from Returning (4): ing role. Forest except center Doug Riepe, Sr., R/R (.279, 4, 20) Modesto (Calif.) Newcomers (1): Redshirt junior Ryder J.B. Tucker (Jr., R/R, Mississippi State) field and pitcher. He is Casey Sterk, So., S/R (.167, 0, 3) Junior College Steve LeFaivre, Sr., L/R (.315, 3, 29) Mathias, the starting a strong candidate at Brendan Enick, So., R/R (.000, 0, 0) where he was a catcher in 2002, missed almost the entire 2003 first base. He had a great fall, particular- First Team JC All- Lost (3): season with a shoulder injury. He has returned ly at the plate, where he might be one Adam Bourassa (.339, 3, 28, 29 SB) American. Miller healthy and could share time with Tucker. of the Deacons to have a breakout year. Ryan Johnson (.369, 9, 52) is expected to Ryan Hubbard (.318, 4, 26, 35 SB) Steven Malinowski started 43 games last year Freshman Matt Antonelli is an incredi- claim center field. at the position as a freshman and provides the bly talented athlete who can play three Newcomers (2): He is a speedy, Deacons with an experienced option at catcher. positions on the infield and perhaps in Matt Miller (Jr., L/L, Modesto [Calif.] JC) leadoff-type hitter Brian Shust (Fr., R/R, Long Grove, Ill.) Junior Jonathan Portnoy is the team’s tireless the outfield. The 19th-round pick of the who creates bullpen catcher. Dodgers in June was the Massachusetts High havoc on the basepaths. Senior Steve LeFaivre will be the team’s right fielder. The left-handed, power hitting LeFaivre had a very solid junior year in limited duty, .315 with three home runs and 29 RBI. He has 13 career home runs to his credit. Left field is still up for grabs as the team enters the spring. The two most likely candidates are sophomore Casey Sterk and freshman Brian Shust. Sterk, a switch-hitter, played in 17 games as a rookie and is a very steady defensive player. Though just a freshman, Shust is one of the strongest players on the team. He played high school baseball with Tim Morley in suburban Chicago and was

2004 Media Guide 17 Season Outlook

What’s Back in 2004? . Hits ...... 34% Appearances ...... 59% Runs ...... 31% Starts ...... 51% Home Runs ...... 23% ...... 52% Runs Batted In ...... 36% Wins ...... 52% Stolen Bases ...... 5% ...... 48%

Career Games/Starts Hitters Pitchers Steve LeFaivre ...... 135/93 Brian Bach ...... 32/16 Nick Blue ...... 133/108 Tim Morley ...... 28/27 Ben Ingold ...... 108/107 Daniel Davidson ...... 33/2 Brad Scioletti ...... 81/56 Indy Wilkinson ...... 19/5 J.B. Tucker ...... 64/39 Kirby Wedekind ...... 18/0 Doug Riepe ...... 52/16 Kyle Young ...... 11/6 Ryder Mathias ...... 51/41 Danny Mackey ...... 2/1 Steven Malinowski ...... 46/43 Casey Sterk ...... 16/1 Grant Achilles ...... 13/0 Brendan Enick ...... 3/0 Jonathan Portnoy ...... 3/0

Player Survey Team Leader: Best : recruited by several Big Ten football to Houston, Texas, for the Coca-Cola 1. Nick Blue 1. Justin Keadle (12) programs. Classic to face Rice, the defending Doug Riepe 2. Lee Land (7) Sophomore Brendan Enick, who national champion. Also involved in Brad Scioletti Best : missed important time last year dur- that event is Lamar University, a 40- Most Competitive: 1. Justin Keadle (9) ing the fall with a torn hamstring, is a 18 team last year that qualified for 1. Brad Scioletti (15.5) 2. Kyle Young (6) 2. Doug Riepe (5) corner outfielder who provides depth the NCAA Tournament, and Cal State Best : for the Deacons. Northridge. Team Comedian: 1. Tim Morley (20) Riepe and Scioletti have both In other non-conference action, the 1. Danny Mackey (18) 2. Charlie Mellies (2) 2. Ryder Mathias (3) Kyle Young (2) spent time in the outfield in previous Deacons will also square off against years and could be plugged into the Missouri and VCU, both NCAA Best Trash Talker: Best : 1. Doug Riepe (5) 1. Kirby Wedekind (9) lineup. Tournament teams in 2003. 2. Six others with 2 2. Justin Keadle (8) Wake Forest will play its usual 24- 3. Eight others including Tal Jobe and Jamie Mabe (1) Fields His Position Best: game slate in the Atlantic Coast 1. Brian Bach (9) Head coach George Greer has an Conference, rated each of the last Most Likely to Coach: 2. Tim Morley (7) array of options at his disposal at the three years as the top baseball con- 1. Grant Achilles (10) 2. Nick Blue (2) Toughest Out: designated hitter position, depending ference based on the NCAA’s RPI. Andrew Knox (2) 1. Nick Blue (21) on match-ups with opposing pitchers On March 16 in Blacksburg, Va., Indy Wilkinson (2) 2. Ben Ingold (2) and the team’s health. and March 17 at Hooks Stadium, the Most Likely to for Office: Best Power: Under ideal circumstances, the Deacons will get an early look at 1. Grant Achilles (4) 1. Brad Scioletti (8) individuals likely to see the most time Virginia Tech, which will join the Brian Bach (4) J.B. Tucker (8)

at designated hitter would include Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005. Best Defensive Player: Best Speed: Ryder Mathias, Doug Riepe, Steven The league schedule brings 1. Ben Ingold (20.5) 1. Matt Antonelli (20) Malinowski and Lee Land. Georgia Tech, North Carolina, 2. Nick Blue (3) 2. Nick Blue (3) Maryland and Florida State to Hooks Best Arm Among Position Players: Most Likely To Break Out in 2004: Schedule Stadium. The Deacons will travel to 1. Brian Shust (18) 1. Team (5) 2. Steve LeFaivre (3) 2. Ben Ingold (4) As always, the Deacons will tackle Clemson, Duke, NC State and Virginia. J.B. Tucker (4) a difficult schedule. In the For the second straight year, the Toughest Pitcher to : 4. Matt Antonelli (2.5) season’s first weekend, ACC Tournament returns to Salem, 1. Justin Keadle (9) 5. Brad Scioletti (2) 2. Tim Morley (7) Wake Forest will travel Va., at the end of May.

18 Wake Forest Baseball 2004 Roster

Pitchers (13) No. Name B/T Ht. Wt. Class Hometown G/GS W-L ERA IP K 10 Justin Keadle R/R 6-2 200 Jr. Huntington Beach, CA ------13 Lee Land R/R 6-3 205 Fr. Riverside, NC ------16 Brian Bach R/R 6-2 195 Jr. Winston-Salem, NC 15/10 6-2 3.89 69.1 40 17 Josh Ellis R/R 6-1 190 Fr. Lexington, KY ------20 Andrew Knox R/R 6-4 200 Fr. Fort Myers, FL ------22 Kirby Wedekind R/R 6-2 220 So. Jacksonville, FL 18/0 1-2 4.78 26.1 25 28 Charlie Mellies R/R 6-3 185 Fr. Clifton, VA ------30 Sean Souders L/L 6-1 175 Fr. Berkeley, CA ------32 Kyle Young L/R 6-3 175 So. Southlake, TX 11/6 5-0 4.57 41.1 23 33 Daniel Davidson R/R 6-5 215 Jr. Huntsville, AL 18/0 0-2 5.27 27.1 31 34 Tim Morley L/L 6-2 190 Jr. Buffalo Grove, IL 12/11 2-5 6.61 65.1 46 35 Indy Wilkinson R/R 6-3 195 Sr. Oak Ridge, TN 8/0 1-0 5.27 13.2 11 41 Danny Mackey R/R 6-5 215 R-Jr. Rochester, NY ------

Catchers (4) No. Name B/T Ht. Wt. Class Hometown G/GS AVG HR RBI SB 4 J.B. Tucker R/R 5-11 190 Jr. Bradenton, FL *35/28 .312 2 20 1 14 Steven Malinowski R/R 6-2 175 So. Kensington, CT 46/43 .227 1 20 0 29 Ryder Mathias R/R 6-1 201 R-Jr. Lewisburg, PA 17/10 .261 1 8 0 37 Jonathan Portnoy R/R 5-8 170 Jr. St. Louis, MO 2/0 .500 0 0 0

Infielders (6) No. Name B/T Ht. Wt. Class Hometown G/GS AVG HR RBI SB 1 Nick Blue S/R 6-0 178 R-Sr. Fairfax, CA **51/51 .355 1 40 21 9 Matt Antonelli L/R 6-0 185 Fr. Peabody, MA ------12 Brad Scioletti R/R 6-2 200 Sr. Hyannis, MA 42/28 .313 4 26 0 13 Lee Land R/R 6-3 205 Fr. Riverside, NC ------21 Grant Achilles R/R 5-10 185 Jr. Lynchburg, VA 9/0 .000 0 1 0 23 Ben Ingold R/R 6-2 185 Jr. Durham, NC 51/51 .317 1 34 4

Outfielders (6) No. Name B/T Ht. Wt. Class Hometown G/GS AVG HR RBI SB 6 Doug Riepe R/R 6-3 210 Sr. Danbury, CT 35/11 .279 4 20 0 7 Casey Sterk S/R 5-11 165 So. Encinitas, CA 17/1 .167 0 3 0 11 Matt Miller L/L 5-9 180 Jr. Modesto, CA ------18 Steve LeFaivre L/R 6-2 205 Sr. Winston-Salem, NC 48/61 .315 3 29 0 24 Brian Shust R/R 6-0 185 Fr. Long Grove, IL ------26 Brendan Enick R/R 6-3 201 So. Pittsburgh, PA 3/0 .000 0 0 0

* 2003 Stats at Mississippi State ** 2002 Stats are listed; Injured in 2003

Head Coach (3rd Base): 44 George Greer (Connecticut, 1968, 17th Season) Assistant Coach (1st Base): 5 Jamie Mabe (Mount Olive, 1992, 4th Season) Pitching Coach: 27 Curtis Brown (Richmond, 1998, 1st Season) Volunteer Assistant: 3 Scott Daeley (Wake Forest, 2002, 2nd Season) Athletic Trainer: Jeff Strahm (Kansas State, 1994, 6th Season) Clubhouse Manager: Tal Jobe (Wake Forest, 1967, 3rd Season) Roster Breakdown By Class: Seniors 5, Juniors 10, Sophomores 6, Freshmen 7.

By Position: Pitchers 13, Catchers 4, Infielders 6, Outfielders 6.

By State: California 5, North Carolina 4, Florida 3, Connecticut 2, Illinois 2, Massachusetts 2, Pennsylvania 2, Virginia 2, Alabama 1, Kentucky 1, Missouri 1, New York 1, Tennessee 1, Texas 1.

Tallest: Daniel Davidson (6-5), Danny Mackey (6-5), Andrew Knox (6-4).

Shortest: Jonathan Portnoy (5-8), Matt Miller (5-9), Grant Achilles (5-10), Casey Sterk (5-11), J.B. Tucker (5-11).

2004 Media Guide 19 Radio/TV Roster

Nick J.B. Doug Casey Matt Justin Matt Blue Tucker Riepe Sterk Antonelli Keadle Miller 1 Second Base 4 Catcher 6 Outfield 7 Outfield 9 Infield 10 Pitcher 11 Outfield

Brad Lee Steven Brian Josh Steve Andrew Scioletti Land Malinowski Bach Ellis LeFaivre Knox 12 Infield 13 1B/P 14 Catcher 16 Pitcher 17 Pitcher 18 Outfield 20 Pitcher

Grant Kirby Ben Brian Brendan Charlie Sean Achilles Wedekind Ingold Shust Enick Mellies Souders 21 Infield 22 Pitcher 23 Shortstop 24 Outfield 26 Outfield 28 Pitcher 30 Pitcher

Kyle Daniel Tim Indy Jonathan Danny Young Davidson Morley Wilkinson Portnoy Mackey 32 Pitcher 33 Pitcher 34 Pitcher 35 Pitcher 37 Catcher 41 Pitcher

George Jamie Curtis Scott Jeff Tal Greer Mabe Brown Daeley Strahm Jobe 44 Head Coach 5 Asst. Coach 27 Pitching Coach 3 Volunteer Asst. Athletic Trainer Clubhouse Mgr.

20 Wake Forest Baseball