Wake Forest Demon Deacons Suffer Third Shutout Loss in Midweek vs High Point

Despite a strong start from sophomore right-hander Duncan Marsten, the Demon Deacons couldn't find any offense against the Panthers.

May 25, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter approaches the mound to talk with Wake Forest pitcher Josh Hartle (23) in the second inning against Florida State during the ACC Baseball Tournament at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

On Tuesday night, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (20-9, 6-6 in ACC) suffered their ninth loss of the season. Despite a strong start from sophomore right-hander Duncan Marsten, Wake Forest dropped their midweek game to the High Point Panthers (19-9, 7-2 in Big South) by a score of 1-0.

The Demon Deacons have now been shut out three times this season. The first two times Wake Forest was held off the scoreboard were in the series against the Florida State Seminoles back in mid-March.

Center-fielder Javar Williams led the Wake Forest lineup with two singles, but the High Point pitching staff delivered with seven pitchers combining for the shutout win. The Deacons will look to turn the page as quickly as possible with a matchup against the Clemson Tigers tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

A Missed Opportunity for the Deacons

Wake Forest head baseball coach Tom Walter and Cincinnati head baseball coach Jordan Bischel shake hands during a NCAA regional baseball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 1, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's never a good feeling when you waste a quality start from a pitcher. Marsten made his fifth start of the season, and didn't disappoint in the slightest. The righty tossed 6.1 innings of one-run baseball, shutting down a really talented High Point lineup. He also recorded six strikeouts while walking just one batter.

The Wake Forest lineup recorded just four hits across the entire lineup, and two of those hits came from Williams. Luke Costello and Dalton Wentz both doubled in the ballgame, but the Deacons couldn't find that big hit needed to break through the Panthers' pitching staff.

While getting shut out is never what you want to see from your baseball program, the loss against High Point is definitely a case of "that's just baseball." Wake Forest made solid contact throughout the night, but just couldn't find grass. It happens, and it's more about how you respond to a rough night at the plate than the rough night itself.

A Chance to Flush it Against a Quality Team

Clemson sophomore Jarren Purify (23) bats against Georgia Tech during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C.Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tomorrow night, Wake Forest will have a chance to rebound against a quality team, as the Deacons will host the Clemson Tigers. Both Wake Forest and Clemson are in similar scenarios heading into the midweek matchup, as both teams are coming off losses. With both teams hungry for a win before their next conference series, tomorrow's game could turn into an instant classic.

If the Deacons can find a midweek win over a quality opponent like Clemson, it could give them the confidence needed to find a series win against a talented Pitt program. The Panthers are coming off a 27-run performance from their midweek game against Mercyhurst, meaning Wake Forest’s pitching staff will be facing a lineup that’s feeling as confident as any heading into the weekend.