1955, 1962, 1963, 1977, 1998, 1999, 2001 ACC Champions New Year, New Attitude Deacons hope to erase memories of last year 18 demon Coaching Staff With the George Greer era coming to a close, the Demon Deacons begin to write a new chapter in what has been a storied history of collegiate. On June 29th, athletics director Ron Wellman announced the hiring of Rick Rembielak from Kent State. Rembielak, the winningest coach in any sport at Kent State, ed a 373-251-1 (.597) in 11 years with the Golden Flashes. Rembielak hopes to bring the same success he had at Kent State to Wake Forest. Joining his is pitching coach Chris Sinacori, assistant coach and former Deacon standout Jon Palmieri, and assistant coach Marshall Canosa. Sinacori spent the past two as the pitching coach for Arizona State, which posted a 95-32. Palmieri, who graduated from Wake Forest in 1999, left as one of the ACC's most prolific hitters and was named to the 50th Anniversary Team. He spent the past three working with the hitters and outfielders at Georgia Tech. Canosa spent last year as a graduate assistant at Tennessee-Martin after graduating from Villanova where he was a three-year starter at catcher. Starting Pitching Entering the campaign, the pitching remains one of the biggest question marks for the Deacons. With last year's number one starter Justin Keadle out for the year with arm surgery, the Deacons must create depth among the starters this year. The Deacons must rely upon a mix of experienced upperclassmen and pitchers who did not get many starts last year. Keadle led the Deacons in innings pitched with 88.1 and 66 strikeouts to just 29 walks. Keadle also pitched two of the team's three complete games last year. The Deacons plan to start the weekend rotation with senior lefty Tim Morley, a pitcher with tremendous ability. Last year, Morley posted a 3-6 and threw a complete game. Morley Returning (4): Brian Bach, Sr., RHP (2-5, 5.15 ERA) Josh Ellis, So., RHP (1-3, 10.24 ERA) Danny Mackey, RS-Sr., RHP (0-2, 9.68 ERA) Tim Morley, Sr., LHP (3-6, 7.18 ERA) Lost (1): Justin Keadle, Sr., RHP (2-5, 6.22 ERA) is a medical redshirt in 05 Hammond (Fr., RHP, Tucson, AZ) Drew O Neil (Fr., RHP, Roswell, GA) looks to bounce back and return to the form that made him an Honorable Mention Freshman All- American in 2002. Sophomore righthander Josh Ellis will step into the weekend rotation this year after starting five games his freshman year and appearing in 10 games in relief. Ellis was the only freshman from last year's squad to start a game and looks to build upon his experience. Freshman righthanded hurler Hammond is a freshman from Tucson, Arizona who has the ability to throw in the mid-to-upper 80's and could push to see some action as a weekend starter. The weekday starters are still in the air with fifthyear senior Danny Mackey and senior Brian Bach two candidates. Bach's junior campaign ended early after undergoing surgery in April on a torn rotator cuff. Prior to surgery, he posted a 2-5 in 10 appearances with four of those starts. With a career of 14-9, Bach gives the Deacons a very experienced pitcher to pitch during the week or the weekend. Mackey is a tall right-hander who had a couple of quality outings last year in both starting and relief efforts. Mackey appeared in 10 games last year with three starts and looks to expand into a starting role. The Bullpen Like the starting rotation, the bullpen must rely on Returning (4): Daniel Davidson, Sr., RHP (1-1, 6.66 ERA) Charlie Mellies, So., RHP (3-3, 5.89 ERA) Sean Souders, So., LHP (0-1, 9.24 ERA) Andrew Knox, RS-Fr., RHP (did not pitch in ) Kirby Wedekind (0-1, 3.83 ERA) Lee Land (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Kip Byrum (Sr., LHP, Greenville, NC) Eric Niesen (Fr., LHP, New Boston, MI) a mix of experienced veterans and newcomers to succeed. With Keadle originally penciled in to be the closer, the Deacons had to make adjustments in the bullpen. The biggest move involves new closer Kyle Young. A right-handed junior, Young has been one of the most impressive pitchers over the past two years. In the two years, Young posted a 9-6, and his aggressive nature and tremendous command make him a prime candidate to succeed in his new role. The 6-foot-4 senior Daniel Davidson is the most experienced pitcher on the with 50 appearances under his belt. Sophomores Charlie Mellies and Sean Souders each pitched in 23 games last year. Both provided the Deacons with valuable innings in relief and gained plenty of experience as freshmen. Mellies pitched 36.2 innings while Souders came in for 37 innings last year. Andrew Knox redshirted last year and will bolster the bullpen this year as a redshirt freshman. Freshmen Eric Niesen will provide more depth in the bullpen this year and could see action to gain experience. Returning (2): J.B. Tucker, Sr., R/R (.252, 5 HR, 34 RBI) Jonathan Portnoy, Sr., R/R (medical redshirt in ) Lost (1): Steven Malinowski (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI) Dan Rosaia (Jr., R/R, S. San Francisco, CA) Weldon Woodall (Fr., R/R, Highland Park, TX) Senior J.B. Tucker returns as the Deacons starting catcher. Tucker made great strides in both offense and defense during the fall and has learned to better separate his offense from his defensive effort in the field. Last year, Tucker played in 40 games, starting all but one. Junior Dan Rosaia is a junior college transfer from College of San Mateo and will provide experienced back up for the Deacons. Rosaia may see more time as well as Tucker will platoon some at designated hitter. Freshman Weldon Woodall will provide more backup behind the plate for the Deacons. Junior Jonathan Portnoy is the team's tireless bullpen catcher. Also, first baseman Ryder Mathias was the starting catcher in 2002 and could serve as a catcher in an emergency situation. 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1955, 1962, 1963, 1977, 1998, 1999, 2001 ACC Champions 19 demon Returning (5): Grant Achilles, Jr., R/R (medical redshirt in ) Antonelli, So., R/R (.305, 2 HR, 37 RBI) Brendan Enick, R-So., R/R (medical redshirt in ) Ben Ingold, Sr., R/R (.361, 3 HR, 43 RBI) Ryder Mathias, RS-Sr., R/R (.269, 3 HR, 22 RBI) Nick Blue (.305, 1 HR, 24 RBI) Brad Scioletti (.309, 5 HR, 45 RBI) Newcomers (3): Nathan Frazier (Fr., R/R, Little Rock, AR) Andy Goff (Fr., R/R, Pittsburgh, PA) Brett Linnenkohl (Fr., R/R, Olympia, WA) Wake Forest's strength will be its experience in the fieldas the Demon Deacons return three players that started in. Fifth-year senior Ryder Mathias returns to first base for a second year. Mathias has the ability to play catcher; however, he will see a majority of his time at first base and designated hitter. Sophomore Antonelli started every game last year at third base and returns to start again. Despite being just a sophomore, Antonelli plays like a senior. He is a very consistent player defensively who has the ability to make all the plays. Senior Ben Ingold begins his fourth year as the What s Back in? At bats...............61% (1097 of 1802) Hits...................60% (313 of 525) Runs..................62% (225 of 363) Doubles..................69% (53 of 77) Triples...................71% (10 of 14) Home Runs...............47% (20 of 43) Runs Batted In...........60% (192 of 322) Stolen Bases..............66% (45 of 68) Appearances............77% (122 of 159) Starts...................74% (37 of 50) Innings..............73% (323.0 of 440.0) Wins....................82% (14 of 17) Strikeouts...............69% (197 of 285) team's starting shortstop. An extremely solid defensive player, Ingold is the quarterback of the team at shortstop and made just one error in fall ball. Second base is the only position on the infield that will see a new face. Two players competing for the starting position are redshirt junior Grant Achilles and freshman Andy Goff. Junior Brendan Enick provides depth at first base. Freshman Nathan Frazier can play a few different positions around the infield and could see some playing time. Wake Forest returns experience in the outfield as Returning (3): Miller, Sr., L/L (.264, 4 HR, 28 RBI) Brian Shust, So., R/R (.143, 0 HR, 4 RBI) Casey Sterk, RS-Sr., RHP (.256, 4 HR, 28 RBI) Steve LeFaivre (.296, 14 HR, 47 RBI) Doug Riepe (.299, 4 HR, 14 RBI) Mike Causey (Fr., R/R, Wilmington, NC) Tom Stack-Babich (Fr., R/R, Scituate, MA) well as the infield this year. The Deacons return two starters and a frequent defensive substitute who also started a few games. Sophomore Brian Shust played in 30 games last year mostly as a defensive replacement in rightfield. He also started six games and will be the opening day starter in right field. Shust has very strong tools of arm strength, speed and power at the plate. Senior Miller and junior Casey Sterk both return to the outfield. Miller started all 50 games in centerfield and Sterk started all 50 in leftfield. Both have good speed and defensive presence, but Miller and Sterk are competing for the centerfield position. The player who does not play center will most likely move over to left field. Both players have proven to be consistent both defensively and offensively. Brett Linnenkohl and Tom Stack-Babich are two freshmen that have shown signs of promise and will provide depth to the experienced outfield. Schedule As always, the Deacons will tackle a difficult schedule. In the season's first weekend, Wake Forest will travel to Rock Hill, S.C. to play two games against Winthrop and one game against Western Kentucky. The Deacons will also travel to Mobile, Ala. to play South Alabama, Jacksonville and Texas A&M. Wake Forest also hosts Cincinnati for a weekend series. With the expanded conference, the Deacons will play the 10 other conference schools in weekend series. Virginia, Miami, Duke, N.C. State and Clemson will all travel to Hooks Stadium for in conference tilts. The Deacons will travel to Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State, Maryland and Virginia Tech. The ACC Tournament will be played this year in Jacksonville, Fla., May 24-29. Career Games/Starts Hitters Ben Ingold.....................158/157 J.B. Tucker......................104/78 Ryder Mathias....................95/78 Casey Sterk......................66/51 Antonelli....................50/50 Miller......................50/50 Brian Shust.......................30/6 Grant Achilles.....................13/0 Brendan Enick......................3/0 Jonathan Portnoy....................3/0 s Brian Bach.......................42/20 Tim Morley......................42/40 Daniel Davidson....................50/2 Charlie Mellies.....................23/0 Sean Souders.....................23/0 Josh Ellis.........................15/5 Justin Keadle.....................13/13 Kyle Young.......................25/18 Danny Mackey.....................12/4 media guide
1955, 1962, 1963, 1977, 1998, 1999, 2001 ACC Champions TV/Radio Roster 02 Brett Linnenkohl Utility Ben 03 Ingold Shortstop J.B. 04 Tucker Nathan 05 Frazier Dan 06 Rosaia Casey 07 Sterk 09 Antonelli 21 demon Justin 10 Keadle 11 Miller Andy 12 Goff Josh 14 Ellis Brian 16 Bach 18 Hammond Danny 20 Mackey Grant 21 Achilles Brian 22 Shust Mike 23 Causey Eric 24 Niesen Weldon 25 Woddall Brendan 26 Enick Tom 27 Stack-Babich Charlie 28 Mellies Ryder Daniel Tim 29 32 33 34 37 Davidson Morley Mathias 1B Sean 30 Souders Kyle Young Jonathan Portnoy Drew 39 O Neil 41 Andrew Knox Rick 08 Rembielak Head Coach Chris 47 Sinacori Pitching Coach Jon 19 Palmieri Asst. Coach 15 Marshall Canosa Asst. Coach Tal Jobe Clubhouse Mgr. media guide
TV/Radio Roster Alphabetical Numerical 1955, 1962, 1963, 1977, 1998, 1999, 2001 ACC Champions 22 demon No Name Cl Pos 21 Grant Achilles RS-Jr INF 9 Antonelli So 3B 16 Brian Bach Sr RHP 17 Kip Byrum Sr LHP 23 Mike Causey Fr OF 33 Daniel Davidson Sr RHP 14 Josh Ellis So RHP 26 Brendan Enick RS-So 1B 5 Nathan Frazier Fr INF 12 Andy Goff Fr SS 18 Hammond Fr RHP 3 Ben Ingold Sr SS 10 Justin Keadle Sr RHP 41 Andrew Knox RS-Fr RHP 2 Brett Linnenkohl Fr Utl 20 Danny Mackey RS-Sr RHP 29 Ryder Mathias RS-Sr 1B 28 Charlie Mellies So RHP 11 Miller Sr OF 34 Tim Morley Sr LHP 24 Eric Niesen Fr LHP 39 Drew O'Neil Fr RHP 37 Jonathan Portnoy Sr C 6 Dan Rosaia Jr C 22 Brian Shust So OF 30 Sean Souders So LHP 27 Tom Stack-Babich Fr OF 7 Casey Sterk Jr OF 4 J.B. Tucker Sr C 25 Weldon Woodall Fr C 32 Kyle Young Jr RHP No Name Pos B/T Ht Wt Cl Hometown (Previous School) 2 Brett Linnenkohl Utility L/R 6-0 195 Fr. Olympia, WA (Capital HS) 3 Ben Ingold SS R/R 6-2 185 Sr. Durham, NC (Riverside HS) 4 J.B. Tucker C R/R 5-11 190 Sr. Bradenton, FL (Mississippi State) 5 Nathan Frazier INF R/R 5-9 175 Fr. Little Rock, Arkansas (Pulaski Academy) 6 Dan Rosaia C L/R 6-2 180 Jr. South San Francisco, CA (San Mateo JC) 7 Casey Sterk OF R/R 5-11 165 Jr. Encinitas, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS) 9 Antonelli 3B R/R 6-0 185 So. Peabody, MA (St. John's Prep) 10 Justin Keadle RHP R/R 6-2 205 Sr. Huntington Beach, CA (Cypress JC) 11 Miller OF L/L 5-9 180 Sr. Manteca, CA (Modesto JC) 12 Andy Goff SS R/R 6-0 185 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA (Mount Lebanon HS) 14 Josh Ellis RHP R/R 6-2 200 So. Lexington, KY (Dunbar HS) 16 Brian Bach RHP R/R 6-2 210 Sr. Winston-Salem, NC (Mount Tabor HS) 17 Kip Byrum LHP L/L 6-3 180 Sr. Greenville, NC (J.H. Rose HS) 18 Hammond RHP R/R 6-3 185 Fr. Tucson, AZ (University HS) 20 Danny Mackey RHP R/R 6-5 205 RS-Sr. Rochester, NY (McQuaid Jesuit HS) 21 Grant Achilles INF R/R 5-10 185 RS-Jr. Lynchburg, VA (Heritage HS) 22 Brian Shust OF R/R 6-0 185 So. Long Grove, IL (Stevenson HS) 23 Mike Causey OF R/R 6-0 220 Fr. Wilmington, NC (E.A. Laney HS) 24 Eric Niesen LHP L/L 6-0 185 Fr. New Boston, MI (Huron HS) 25 Weldon Woodall C R/R 6-0 185 Fr. Highland Park, TX (Woodbury HS) 26 Brendan Enick 1B R/R 6-3 201 RS-So. Pittsburgh, Pa. (Upper St. Clair HS) 27 Tom Stack-Babich OF R/R 6-3 200 Fr. Scituate, MA (Xavieran Brothers HS) 28 Charlie Mellies RHP R/R 6-3 195 So. Clifton, VA (Centreville HS) 29 Ryder Mathias 1B R/R 6-1 201 RS-Sr. Lewisburg, PA (Lewisburg) 30 Sean Souders LHP L/L 6-1 185 So. Berkeley, CA (Berekley HS) 32 Kyle Young RHP L/R 6-3 175 Jr. Southlake, TX (Southlake Carroll) 33 Daniel Davidson RHP R/R 6-6 215 Sr. Huntsville, AL (Grissom HS) 34 Tim Morley LHP L/L 6-2 195 Sr. Buffalo Grove, IL (Stevenson HS) 37 Jonathan Portnoy C R/R 5-8 170 Sr. St. Louis, MO (Country Day) 39 Drew O'Neil RHP R/R 6-4 185 Fr. Roswell, GA (Blessed Trinity HS) 41 Andrew Knox RHP R/R 6-4 215 RS-Fr. Fort Myers, FL (Bishop Verot HS) Coaching Staff Name Position Year Alma Mater Rick Rembielak Head Coach 1st B.A.-Akron, 1988; M.A.-Kent State, 1992 Chris Sinacori Assistant Coach 1st Tennessee, 1990 Jon Palmieri Assistant Coach 1st Wake Forest, 1999 Marshall Canosa Volunteer Coach 1st Villanova, 2003 Jeff Strahm Athletic Trainer 7th Kansas State, 1994 Tal Jobe Clubhouse Manager 4th Wake Forest, 1967 Roster Breakdown By Class Seniors 11, Juniors 5, Sophomores 5, Freshmen 9 By Position s 14, s 4, ers 8, ers 5 By State California 5, North Carolina 4, Florida 2, Illinois 2, Massachusetts 2, Pennsylvania 2, Virginia 2, Alabama 1, Missouri 1, New York 1, Texas 1, Washington 1, Georgia 1, Michigan 1, Arkansas 1, Arizona 1 Tallest Daniel Davidson (6-6), Danny Mackey (6-5), Andrew Knox (6-4), Drew O Neil (6-4), Brendan Enick (6-3), Charlie Mellies (6-3), Tom Stack-Babich (6-3), Kip Byrum (6-3), Hammond (6-3) Shortest Jonathan Portnoy (5-8), Miller (5-9), Nathan Frazier (5-9), Grant Achilles (5-10), Casey Sterk (5-11), J.B. Tucker (5-11). WakeForest Sports.com