Wake Forest Baseball Bounces Back with Run-Rule Victory

Sophomore transfer Cameron Bagwell dominates on the mound as Demon Deacons offense explodes late

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After a disappointing four-game losing streak, the Wake Forest baseball team rebounded with an impressive mid-week win over Liberty. Sophomore transfer Cameron Bagwell pitched a gem, striking out 9 batters and allowing just 1 hit over 7 innings. The Demon Deacons' offense, which had struggled mightily the previous weekend, finally broke out with a 9-run 7th inning capped by a game-winning grand slam from Luke Costello.

Why it matters

This win is a much-needed confidence boost for a Wake Forest team that had been reeling. The Demon Deacons are looking to bounce back and prove they belong in the top 25 rankings as they prepare for a crucial weekend series against #9 Virginia.

The details

Bagwell was dominant on the mound, using his changeup to keep the Liberty hitters off balance all game. The Wake Forest offense, which had managed just 3 hits over the previous two games, finally broke through in the 7th inning with a 9-run outburst. Junior Dalton Wentz hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd to get the Demon Deacons on the board early, and Luke Costello's grand slam in the 7th put the game out of reach.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Wake Forest had lost 4 straight games the previous week.

The players

Cameron Bagwell

A sophomore transfer pitcher for Wake Forest who had a dominant 7-inning outing, striking out 9 batters and allowing just 1 hit.

Dalton Wentz

A junior outfielder for Wake Forest who hit a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning to give the Demon Deacons an early lead.

Luke Costello

A right-handed slugger for Wake Forest who hit a game-winning grand slam in the 7th inning to put the game out of reach.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Cam Bagwell was certainly the difference tonight. I thought he was outstanding. That's about as good as you can pitch right there.”

— Tom Walter, Head Coach

What’s next

This weekend, Wake Forest will travel to Charlottesville, Virginia to take on #9 Virginia in a crucial 3-game series.

The takeaway

This dominant win over Liberty is exactly what the Wake Forest baseball team needed to regain their confidence and prove they can compete with the top teams in the country. As they head into a tough road series against Virginia, the Demon Deacons will look to build on this momentum and show they belong in the national rankings.