The Wake Forest Demon Deacons started off the 2025 new campaign with a bang, winning all of their games against Long Island and Marist. The Deacs won against Long Island; 14-2 on 2/14, and 14-0 on 2/15 both in seven innings, and beat Marist 11-4 on 2/14, and 24-6 on 2/16 both in seven innings as well. Shortstop Marek Houston and Outfielder Chris Katz recorded big weekends, with Houston winning ACC Player of the Week.
New week, new team and the Demon Deacons will take on the St. John’s Red Storm from 2/21-2/23 in Winston-Salem. The Deacons are sitting at 4-0 after a stellar weekend at home scoring a total of 63 runs with a positive 51 run differential. St. John’s is coming off a hard opening weekend going 0-2 and only scoring two runs with a negative 12 run differential.
On Friday, junior southpaw Joe Ariola is the expected starter after getting the win against Marist last friday with three strikeouts and giving up four hits and an earned run in 2.1 innings of work. For the Red Storm junior right-hander Conor Burns is expected to take the hill after three strikeouts and three hits in two innings against Liberty. I predict the Demon Deacons to take home a win on friday night, 6-2.
On Saturday, junior left-hander Matthew Dallas is expected to take the bump after a phenomenal win over Long Island on 2/15 racking up nine strikeouts and only allowing one hit in 4.1 innings of work. For St. Johns, Redshirt- Junior Dylan Johnson is expected to pitch after putting up three innings of work consisting of two strikeouts and allowing four hits. I predict Wake Forest will take a big win, 10-0.
On Sunday, local star Blake Morningstar out of Wyalusing Valley, Pa is expected to assume the starting role after being a reliever last year. He got the win last Sunday in four innings, with four strikeouts and giving up four hits and three walks. St. John's pitcher Chad Falcon is expected to start after tossing 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and allowing a hit. I predict Wake Forest will sweep them with a 3-1 win.
The Demon Deacon bats are hot right now and that is the key to push past the Red Storm and start the season 7-0. Stars Marek Houston, Jack Winnay, and Austin Hawke will be key contributors to a big home sweep against St. Johns.