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Official account for @SBNation’s Wake Forest site, Blogger So Dear

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Steve Forbes met with the media on Monday, which means the countdown to the 2024-25 season is officially on.

Join @BenConroyWFU and I as we get the band back together to talk Wake Forest’s transfer season, Hunter Sallis, Cam Hildreth, Efton, PFred and more.

Part 1 of 2 below.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

.@BenConroyWFU said it himself. “Unclaimed greatness”

Welcome back to the show, @HunterSallis_.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

BREAKING: G Hunter Sallis withdraws from NBA Draft, will return to Wake Forest for the 2024-25 season, per his Twitter.

“Sometimes, the biggest gets are the ones you get back.” Huge for the Demon Deacons’ NCAAT hopes.

[Andrew Petcash @AndrewPetcash]

Jessie Bates III has made $55M in the NFL and is an all-pro safety...

But what he's doing off the field is even more impressive.

Here's the fascinating breakdown:

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Breaking: Iowa State forward Omaha Biliew commits to Wake Forest, per several reports.

The former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American averaged 7.4 minutes this season. The rising sophomore joins Tre'Von Spillers in Steve Forbes' portal class.
https://t.co/1iRqgkxTWn

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Wake Forest picks up their second commitment. Former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American.

Story coming.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Game Story || Three cracks of Nick Kurtz’s bat were all Wake Forest needed Sunday, but the story of the weekend extends far beyond him.

Josh Hartle, Seaver King, Mike Massey, the bullpen and Kurtz, too. Wake Forest found confidence on a "launching point."
https://t.co/0YMLo9BwbQ

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

FINAL: Wake Forest defeats No. 11 Virginia Tech 10-4

Massey: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 K
Kurtz: 3-4, 7 RBI, 3 HR
King: 1-3, 3 RBI, HR
Winnay: 2-4

Deacs secure their first ACC sweep of the year. Potential season-changing weekend. Have Coastal at home midweek before a trip to BC.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Nick Kurtz. Telekinesis.

9-4 Wake. 3rd today. 8th in 5 games.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

That'll likely be the end of Michael Massey's afternoon.

4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 69 pitches.

Saw Blake Morningstar and Haiden Leffew up in the bullpen.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Nick Kurtz came into the Virginia Tech series T-8th in Wake Forest career home runs.

He's now tied for 4th.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Nick Kurtz. Telekinesis.

5-2 Wake Forest. 7th home run in 5 games, 2nd today.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Nick Kurtz. Telekinesis.

2-0 Wake Forest. Sixth home run in five games.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Wake Forest starters vs Virginia Tech:
SS Marek Houston
2B Adam Tellier
1B Nick Kurtz
RF Jack Winnay
DH Jake Reinisch
3B Seaver King
LF Javar Williams
C Cameron Gill
CF Cam Nelson
SP Michael Massey

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Game 3 on deck from Atlantic Union Bank Park in 1.5 hours.

Wake Forest looking to get the sweep vs No. 11 Virginia Tech with Michael Massey on the mound.

Lineups, news and notes to come.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Game Story || Wake Forest is starting to "believe." The Deacs are playing "better baseball."

Saturday's 6-3 series-clinching win over Virginia Tech was a sign of growing confidence. For those who needed it most, it's beginning to surge.
https://t.co/l1QQmu1FKI

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

FINAL: Wake Forest defeats Virginia Tech 6-3

Hartle: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Bullpen: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K
King: 1-3, 3 RBI, HR
Kurtz: 3-4, RBI, HR
Reinisch: 2-4, RBI
Winnay: 1-3, RBI

Deacs will go for their first ACC series sweep tomorrow at 1pm.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Nick Kurtz. Telekinesis.

6-2 Wake Forest.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Single-wild pitch-walk signals the end of Josh Hartle's night. 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. Responsible for both runners.

Blake Morningstar in with a 5-2 lead and 2 outs.

[Essex Thayer @essexthayer7]

Josh Hartle strikes out the side in the fourth. Hasn't allowed a hit since the two-run second.

His 8 Ks are a new season high, and the most recent gets him into the Top 10 in Wake Forest history for career strikeouts.