Brazeau home run lifts Wake Forest past Corinth Holders in 4A baseball playoffs
Last season, Wake Forest eliminated Corinth Holders from the baseball playoffs in a three-game series in the eastern regional championship.
On Wednesday night, the Cougars did it again, this time in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs.
Wake Forest used a leadoff home run by Kyle Brazeau in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie, then Carson Crider recorded three strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning to give the Cougars a 2-1 victory.
For much of the game, Wake Forest held a one-run lead. After Corinth Holders opened the game with a strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out, the Cougars loaded the bases with two walks and a single by Carlos Diaz.
Mark Murray hit a sacrifice fly to left field, which allowed Brazeau to score the first run of the game. Wake Forest led Corinth Holders 1-0 after one inning.
That one-run lead held for Wake Forest until the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Briggs McKenzie hit a single on a fly ball to center field, which allowed Jett Music to score and tie the game at 1-1.
McKenzie advanced to second base on a throw, but Reese File grounded out at the next at bat to end the inning.
That led to the leadoff home run by Brazeau to immediately put Wake Forest back on top. Brazeau scored both runs of the night for Wake Forest. The senior third baseman had two at bats and recorded two hits, two runs, and one RBI.
Jackson Hardy got the win on the mound for Wake Forest, with six innings pitched. He allowed two hits and one run while recorded two strikeouts. Crider pitched the seventh inning and allowed one hit, but recorded three strikeouts in the inning.
Wake Forest hopes to get back to the 4A state championship game for the second straight season. Last year, the Cougars lost to T.C. Roberson in three games.
Next up in the playoffs for Wake Forest is Cardinal Gibbons, which upset D.H. Conley in the third round of the playoffs on Wednesday night, 2-0. The fourth round game will be played Friday at Wake Forest.
