“Renewal of a Rivalry: Wake Forest Looks to Derail No. 16 North Carolina’s Momentum at the Dean Dome” The Atlantic Coast Conference is home to some of the most intense and storied rivalries in college athletics, and the matchup between Wake Forest and North Carolina is no exception. When these two longtime adversaries clash on the hardwood, the energy is palpable, and the competition is always fierce. This Saturday, the Demon Deacons will travel to the Dean Dome to take on No. 16 North Carolina, a team that has been riding a wave of momentum in recent weeks. With the Tar Heels’ offense clicking on all cylinders and their defense stifling opponents, Wake Forest will need to bring its A-game if it hopes to pull off the upset and send a message to the rest of the ACC. Will the Demon Deacons be able to silence the crowd and spoil the Tar Heels’ party, or will North Carolina continue its winning ways?
Wake Forest Continues ACC Action at Big Four Rival No. 16 North Carolina
Fresh off a series win at No. 4 Florida State, the Wake Forest baseball team travels to Chapel Hill for its second-straight ranked ACC series, battling No. 16 North Carolina starting on Thursday, April 10 at Boshamer Stadium.
Thursday’s 6 p.m. first pitch will air nationally on the ACC Network with Mike Monaco and Chris Burke on the call. Dean Linke and Wayne McDonnell will have the call on ACC Network Extra on Friday at 6 p.m., while Monaco and Burke will be back for the finale on ESPN2 on Saturday at 1 p.m.
For fans unable to watch, Ty Collins play-by-play broadcast is available by clicking HERE. Stay tuned to the Demon Deacons social media accounts (@WakeBaseball) for all in-game updates and information.
Free Pass Frenzy: Wake Forest’s Ability to Draw Walks
Wake Forest was the best team in the country in 2023 at drawing a free 90 feet, with 424 on the season, good for 11 more than any other team. The Demon Deacons continued to draw free passes last season, with 378 to lead the ACC and rank sixth nationally in 2024.
The trend has continued through the first 34 games of the 2025 season, as Wake has drawn 228 walks, ranking second in the ACC and fifth in the nation. The Deacs have drawn 10 or more free passes six times this season, and are averaging nearly eight walks per game over the last five contests.
Starting Pitchers’ Consistency and Durability
On the flip side, Wake is 25-38 (.397) in the 63 games where opposing pitchers have had a longer outing.
Strikeout Kings: Wake Forest’s Dominance on the Mound
Wake Forest leads the country in strikeouts with 403 on the year and is the only staff over 375 punchouts. Averaging nearly 12 strikeouts per game, 47.1% of the Demon Deacons’ outs recorded have come via the K.
The 2025 Deacs are currently outpacing the 2024 team, which had 375 strikeouts through the first 34 games a year ago to finish the year ranked sixth in the country with 690 punchouts by almost 40.
Nationally, the Demon Deacons rank second over this time span, trailing only LSU.
Wake Forest’s Dominance in the Middle Innings
Outscoring Opponents in the Fourth to Seventh Innings
The Demon Deacons have been dominant over the middle innings this season, outscoring opponents 176 to 59 during the fourth through the seventh.
On the mound, Wake pitchers hold a 2.56 ERA during the fifth to seventh inning stretch, and opponents are hitting just .194 against the staff.
Pitching Excellence in the Middle Innings
Wake Forest’s starting pitchers have found success in the middle innings, allowing just 29 earned runs over 101.1 innings pitched in the fourth to seventh innings.
The Deacs’ Productive Offense in the Middle Innings
At the plate, Wake has gone 191-for-569 (.320) over innings four through seven with 81 of the team’s 148 extra-base hits coming during the middle innings.
Most recently, Wake Forest outscored Florida State, 20-2, over the four-inning stretch during the weekend series.
Series Implications and What’s at Stake
The Impact of a Series Win on Wake Forest’s ACC Standing
A series win against North Carolina would give Wake Forest a significant boost in the ACC standings, potentially moving them into a tie for second place or even sole possession of second place.
The Demon Deacons’ Chances of Sweeping the Big Four Rival
Wake Forest has not swept North Carolina in a regular season series since 2016, and will look to make history with a sweep at Boshamer Stadium.
The Importance of This Series for Wake Forest’s Season Goals
This series marks a crucial point in Wake Forest’s season, as the Demon Deacons look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Last Time Out
Parker Friedrichsen came out of the gate with a hot hand, knocking down five three-pointers on the evening for a season-high 18 points. Additionally, his five makes from beyond the arc tied for a career-best mark.
The Bixby, Okla., native also grabbed four rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
Success On The Road
Six of the Deacs’ 11 ACC victories have come on the road this season, as Wake Forest has traveled to Syracuse, Miami, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Cal and SMU and won.
The six ACC road victories are tied for the most in program history alongside the 1996-97 team, and the current three-game road winning streak in conference play is the longest since the 2003-04 season.
Earlier this month, Wake Forest became the first ACC program to sweep the West Coast trip with victories at Stanford and Cal in a four-day span.
Deacs In Big Four Action
Steve Forbes in four seasons, having previously done so during the 2021-22 campaign when the Deacs defeated the Wolfpack 69-51 in Raleigh before a 101-76 victory in Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest is seeking the second regular season sweep of NC State under head coach in four seasons, having previously done so during the 2021-22 campaign when the Deacs defeated the Wolfpack 69-51 in Raleigh before a 101-76 victory in Winston-Salem.
Defensive Dominance
Wake Forest’s team defense continues to impress as one of the best in the country, holding opponents to a .245 batting average and 2.93 runs per game.
The Demon Deacons’ pitching staff has been particularly stingy, allowing just 24 earned runs over the last 12 games for a 1.80 ERA.
Rank School ACC Record ACC Pct. Overall Record Overall Pct.
- 1 Duke 15-1 .938 23-3 .885
- T-2 Clemson 13-2 .867 21-5 .808
- T-2 Louisville 13-2 .867 20-6 .769
- T-4 Wake Forest 11-4 .733 19-7 .731
- T-4 SMU 11-4 .733 20-6 .769
- 6 North Carolina 9-6 .600 16-11 .593
- 7 Stanford 8-7 .533 16-10 .615
- T-8 Pitt 7-8 .467 16-10 .615
- T-8 Florida State 7-8 .467 16-10 .615
- T-8 Georgia Tech 7-8 .467 13-13 .500
- T-11 Virginia 6-9 .400 13-13 .500
- T-11 Virginia Tech 6-9 .400 11-15 .423
- T-13 California 5-10 .333 12-14 .462
- T-13 Notre Dame 5-10 .333 11-15 .423
- 15 Syracuse 5-11 .312 11-16 .407
- T-16 Boston College 3-12 .200 11-15 .423
- T-16 NC State 3-12 .200 10-16 .385
- 18 Miami 2-13 .133 6-20 .231
Conclusion
The Wake Forest Wildcats Gear Up for a Thrilling Showdown
As the Wake Forest Wildcats prepare to face off against the No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels in a highly anticipated ACC matchup, the stage is set for a true test of basketball prowess. In this pivotal matchup, the Wildcats will look to continue their push for dominance in the conference, while the Tar Heels seek to uphold their status as a top-ranked team. Our analysis has revealed that Wake Forest’s relentless defense and potent offense will be put to the ultimate test against North Carolina’s well-oiled machine.
As the two teams clash, the significance of this matchup extends beyond the confines of the court. This battle between ACC powerhouses will have far-reaching implications for both teams’ seasons, with the winner poised to take a crucial step towards securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Moreover, the intangibles of team chemistry, resilience, and adaptability will be on full display, as the Wildcats and Tar Heels battle for every inch of court space. As we look to the future, it’s clear that this rivalry will continue to shape the trajectory of both programs in the years to come.
In the end, the outcome of this game will be a testament to the unwavering dedication and unrelenting passion of the teams involved. As the ball bounces, the crowd roars, and the players clash, one thing is certain: the Wake Forest Wildcats and the No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels will give it their all in a battle that will leave only one team standing. Will Wake Forest’s grit and determination be enough to take down the Tar Heels, or will North Carolina’s depth and experience prove too much to overcome? The world will be watching as these two ACC powerhouses go head-to-head in a clash for the ages.
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