Wake Forest Fungo Weekly Roundup for July 3-9
Written by Joesph Ellsworth
With the rainout of their match against the Fuquay-Varina Twins on the fifth, Wake Forest FUNGO only saw two games last week, taking down the Clayton Clovers and Twins in back-to-back games.
July 6 (12-11 @ Clayton Clovers)
After four straight days without any games, FUNGO picked up where they left off, taking down the Clovers for Wake Forest’s sixth straight victory.
FUNGO caught fire quickly, taking an 8-0 lead after two innings. They nearly put up more, but a flyout to end the second left three runners on base.
The Clovers managed to put up four runs in their subsequent two frames at-bat, but two runs by FUNGO in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a homer from Hogan Stallings, brought the lead back to six.
The two teams traded runs in the fifth inning, each scoring one. Anthony Mitta had an RBI double to bring home Lawson Wheeler, who was pinch-hitting for Cam Verrier. While the Clovers scored two in the top of the sixth, FUNGO failed to score despite loading the bases. After six innings, FUNGO led 11-7.
Following two scoreless innings, the Clovers put up a massive frame with their backs against the wall in the top of the ninth. Clayton brought home four runs, tying the game up.
Jack Boyles started the frame with a walk in the bottom of the ninth and stole second during the next at-bat. Wheeler grounded out, but Boyles made it to third and threatened to score. Jayson Arendt, the lead-off batter, hit a high fly ball to center, which was caught, but the Clovers’ throw was not in time as Boyles crossed home plate to score the walk-off run. This was FUNGO’s second straight win by walk-off.
Arendt earned the FUNGO Player of the Game, going 1-2 at the plate and putting up three walks, two runs, a stolen base and an RBI for the walk-off victory.
July 7 (8-0 @ Fuquay-Varina Twins)
FUNGO got off to a hot start against the Twins with a 1-2-3 inning to open the game thanks to pitcher Alex Kobersteen. This was just the start of a game where Wake Forest would dominate each inning.
In the following frame, an error following a Mitta single brought home Thomas Fox to put FUNGO on the board first.
The Twins failed to score in the second, and another run by Wake Forest brought their lead up to two. This run came off a sacrifice fly from Jason Jelic to bring home Boyles.
The third inning showcased more successful defensive work by FUNGO, keeping the Twins scoreless. In this inning, however, the FUNGO offense did a better job capitalizing on the opportunity. A hit and two steals by Mitta as well as walks by Stallings and Boyles loaded the bases and set FUNGO up for a good scoring chance. Wheeler hit a sacrifice fly to drive home Mitta, and Elijah Jordan followed up the run with a two-RBI single to take a 5-0 lead.
Wake Forest extended their lead in the fourth, again holding the Twins to zero runs and then scoring three of their own to take an 8-0 lead.
The game was cut short to just five innings due to rain, and FUNGO took home the 8-0 victory. Mitta and Kobersteen earned the Co-Players of the Game awards on the day.
Kobersteen threw five shutout innings, striking out four and allowing only four hits.
“I just go out there and throw it over the plate,” said Kobersteen. “I just throw fastballs, and that’s all you can do. They can’t hit it.”
Mitta went 2-2 at the plate, putting up a run, three steals and an RBI.