Wake Forest Demon Deacons baseball


The Wake Forest Demon Deacons baseball team represents Wake Forest University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They won the 1955 College World Series. They are coached by Tom Walter.

History

The Demon Deacon program began play in 1891.
The Demon Deacons represented the United States in baseball at the 1951 Pan American Games, winning the silver medal. In 1955, the Demon Deacons defeated Western Michigan in the 1955 College World Series, led by coach Taylor Sanford. In 1977, Outfielder Kenny Baker became the first Demon Deacon to win ACC Player of the Year.
The Demon Deacons has been crowned Atlantic [Coast Conference Baseball Tournament|ACC tournament] champions four times: 1977, 1998, 1999, and 2001. In 2010, Tom Walter was hired as Wake Forest's new head coach.

David F. Couch Ballpark

On October 31, 2007, Wake Forest University bought Ernie Shore Field for $5.5 million, paying that money upfront. Starting in 2009, home games have been played at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park. The Demon Deacons' former home, Gene Hooks Stadium, was demolished following the university's purchase of Ernie Shore Field, which has since been renamed Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park. In February 2016, the Wake Forest ballpark was renamed David F. Couch Ballpark in honoring former Demon Deacon baseball player David Couch.

Individual awards

ACC Player of the Year">Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year">ACC Player of the Year

In 2010, Charlie Teague became the first and only former Demon Deacon elected into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
YearPlayerPosition
2010Charlie Teague2B

Championships

NCAA College World Series Championships

Conference Champions

Conference Tournament champions

Wake Forest in the NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament started in 1947. The Demon Deacons have played in 16 tournaments, advancing to the Super Regionals in 1949, 1955, and 2023, winning the National Championship in 1955.
19494–2College World Series Runner-up, Region B Champion
19559–2College World Series Champion, District 3 Champion
1962 [NCAA University Division baseball tournament|1962]2–2District 3
1963 NCAA [University Division baseball tournament|1963]3–2District 3
19772–2Atlantic Regional
19982–2South I Regional
19993–3Coral Gables Super Regional, hosted Winston-Salem Regional
20002–2Columbia Regional
20013–2Knoxville Regional
2002 [NCAA Division I baseball tournament|2002]3–2Hosted Winston-Salem Regional
2007 [NCAA Division I baseball tournament|2007]1–2Round Rock Regional
20161–2College Station Regional
20174–2Gainesville Super Regional, hosted Winston-Salem Regional
20221–2College Park Regional
20237–2College World Series 3rd Place, hosted Winston-Salem Regional and Super Regional
20240–2Greenville Regional
20253–2Knoxville Regional
TOTALS50–35

Current and former major league players

Six Demon Deacons were selected in the 2012 [Major League Baseball draft]: OF Mac Williamson by the San Francisco Giants, LHP Tim Cooney by the St. Louis Cardinals, 3B Carlos Lopez by Washington Nationals, RHP Brian Holmes by the Houston Astros, SS Pat Blair by the Houston Astros, and RHP Michael Dimock also by the Houston Astros.

2016 MLB draft

Only one Demon Deacon was selected in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft: 3B Will Craig by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

2017 MLB draft

In 2017, Eight Wake Forest Demon Deacons were selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft: OF Stuart Fairchild by the Cincinnati Reds, 1B Gavin Sheets by the Chicago White Sox, RHP Parker Dunshee by the Oakland Athletics, C Ben Breazeale by the Baltimore Orioles, RHP Donnie Sellers by the Toronto Blue Jays, OF Jonathan Pryor by the Washington Nationals, RHP Connor Johnstone by the Atlanta Braves, and RHP Griffin Roberts by the Minnesota Twins which set a program record and the most in the ACC.

World Series Champions

Only four former Demon Deacons have gone on to win the World Series with their respective teams.
PlayerPositionTeamNumber of Championships
Rip ColemanPNew York Yankees1
Vic SorrellPDetroit Tigers1
Ray ScarboroughPNew York Yankees1
Tommy ByrnePNew York Yankees2