In a high-stakes elimination battle at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons kept their postseason dreams alive with a thrilling 6–3 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, forcing a winner-take-all regional final in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The victory sets up a dramatic conclusion to the Knoxville Regional, with both teams now facing one final clash to determine who advances to the Super Regionals.
The game had everything fans could ask for: elite pitching, timely hitting, emotional swings, and two national powerhouses battling to extend their seasons. With Tennessee holding the top seed in the region and Wake Forest riding a wave of postseason experience, the stage is now set for one of the most compelling winner-take-all regional finales in recent memory.
A Clash of Titans: Wake Forest Responds to Pressure
Coming into Sunday’s matchup, Tennessee had the upper hand after dispatching Wake Forest earlier in the regional. But the Demon Deacons were far from intimidated. With their season on the line, they looked every bit like the team that had reached the College World Series in 2023 and remained a national contender in 2024.
From the opening pitch, Wake Forest exuded urgency and energy. Head coach Tom Walter’s squad knew it had to play clean, smart baseball — and that’s exactly what they delivered.
“It’s about believing in who we are,” Walter said after the game. “We’ve been in these situations before, and this group never backs down. Tennessee’s a phenomenal team, but we earned another shot.”
And earn it they did.
Early Momentum: Wake Forest Strikes First
The Demon Deacons wasted no time getting on the board. In the top of the second inning, sophomore slugger Seaver King, one of Wake’s offensive leaders all season, laced a double into the right-center field gap. Two batters later, he scored on a bloop single from Justin Johnson, giving Wake Forest a 1–0 lead.
The early run was crucial for confidence — especially against a Tennessee team that had looked dominant offensively in earlier games of the regional.
In the third, Wake Forest added to their lead. After a leadoff walk and a Tennessee error allowed runners to reach second and third with one out, senior outfielder Lucas Costello delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle. Just like that, the Demon Deacons were up 3–0.
Tennessee Struggles to Catch Up
For the Volunteers, Sunday’s game felt uncharacteristically flat, particularly in the early innings. Starter Drew Beam — normally one of Tennessee’s most reliable arms — didn’t have his sharpest command, walking three and giving up key hits that allowed Wake Forest to seize momentum.
“It just wasn’t our day on the mound early,” said Vols head coach Tony Vitello. “Drew’s a competitor and he gave us what he could, but against a team like Wake Forest, mistakes will cost you.”
Tennessee did manage to cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth, when All-SEC outfielder Dylan Dreiling crushed a solo home run to right field, injecting life into the home crowd. Later that inning, Christian Moore added an RBI single to make it 3–2.
But just when it seemed like Tennessee might turn the tide, Wake Forest’s bullpen stepped up.
Wake’s Pitching Staff Slams the Door
After starter Michael Massey exited in the fifth with a 3–2 lead, Wake Forest leaned heavily on its bullpen. Junior lefty Camden Minacci entered and pitched 2.2 brilliant innings, keeping Tennessee’s powerful lineup off-balance with a mix of breaking balls and inside fastballs.
Minacci’s poise in high-pressure moments proved vital, especially in the sixth inning when Tennessee had the tying run on third with one out. A shallow fly ball and a strikeout ended the threat, preserving Wake’s lead.
“That was a big moment,” Minacci said. “I just trusted my stuff and let my defense work. We weren’t going to give them anything easy.”
Adding Insurance: Wake Forest Pulls Away Late
The eighth inning proved decisive.
With two on and one out, Wake Forest’s standout freshman Nick Kurtz drove a 2-0 fastball into the right-field corner for a double, scoring both runners and extending the lead to 5–2. The Demon Deacons added another run on a sac fly, giving them a comfortable 6–2 cushion.
Though Tennessee clawed back with a run in the bottom of the eighth via a Jared Dickey RBI groundout, Wake Forest closer Eric Adler came in to shut the door in the ninth, securing the victory with two strikeouts and a routine grounder.
Emotional Scenes and a Fired-Up Wake Forest Dugout
As the final out was recorded, the Wake Forest dugout erupted. Players leapt over the railing, high-fiving and hugging one another. While there was still more work to be done, the moment was a testament to the grit and resilience of a team that had its back against the wall.
“This group refuses to quit,” Walter said. “Now we’ve got one more. That’s all we can ask for.”
Tennessee: Searching for Answers Ahead of Winner-Take-All Finale
For Tennessee, the loss was a wake-up call.
The Vols had rolled through much of the regular season and entered the regional with Omaha aspirations. But Sunday’s performance exposed some of their flaws — particularly in situational hitting and bullpen depth.
“You don’t get to advance by coasting,” said Vitello. “Wake Forest punched us in the mouth. Now we’ve got to respond.”
Veterans like Blake Burke and Christian Moore will be counted on to lead the offensive charge on Monday, and all signs point to Tennessee using their ace Chase Burns in some capacity.
“We’ve still got all our goals ahead of us,” Moore said. “This team has fight. We’re not going out quietly.”
A Monday Classic in the Making
The stage is now set for Monday’s high-stakes finale, which will determine who emerges from the Knoxville Regional and moves on to the Super Regionals. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to defend home turf and advance. For Wake Forest, it’s an opportunity to pull off a dramatic comeback in enemy territory.
The matchup is as evenly split as it gets: two elite programs, both battle-tested, each with legitimate College World Series aspirations. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.
The winner will likely face the winner of the Chapel Hill Regional, where North Carolina and LSU are in a similar battle. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
X-Factors to Watch in the Finale
1. Pitching Usage and Rest:
Both teams have taxed their bullpens across the weekend, so pitching depth could be the deciding factor. Tennessee may look to Burns early, while Wake Forest will likely go with a mix of starters and relievers to piece together nine innings.
2. Handling the Pressure:
Tennessee will face pressure in front of a packed home crowd. Will they rise to the occasion or press too hard? Wake Forest, having already played the spoiler role once, enters the final with some momentum and nothing to lose.
3. Offensive Stars:
For Wake, Seaver King and Nick Kurtz are red-hot. Tennessee will need big games from Burke, Moore, and Dreiling to keep pace. Expect fireworks from both lineups.
4. Coaching Decisions:
Vitello and Walter are two of the most respected minds in college baseball. Their in-game decisions — particularly with pitching changes and lineup tweaks — could tip the scales.
Regardless of the outcome, Monday’s showdown promises to be one of the most exciting games of the postseason. With two proud programs battling for survival, every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play will carry extra weight.
For Tennessee fans, it’s a chance to see their team fight for Omaha on their own turf. For Wake Forest supporters, it’s one more shot to prove that grit and belief can carry a team through the fire.
