Hudson Cepparulo leads Wake Forest FUNGO to victory over High Point Hushpuppies

On June 4, the Wake Forest FUNGO hosted conference division rival High Point Hushpuppies at Heritage High School.

FUNGO earned the 10-6 victory, bringing their season record to 3-4 and taking a 1-1 start in divisional play after losing to the Clayton Clovers in their previous game.

FUNGO takes an early lead

The Hushpuppies were the first on the board, with third baseman Christian Walker hitting a single in the top of the first to bring home a runner from third.

The Hushpuppies held their lead through the first but the momentum took a turn in the bottom of the second as Wake Forest quickly loaded the bases with just one out.

After a short Hushpuppy mound visit, FUNGO right fielder Lucas Granata stepped up to the plate and hit a shot over third to bring home two runners on a two-RBI single to give Wake Forest the 2-1 lead.

After a fly-out by Eli Snelson, center fielder Nick DiCarlo stepped up and hit a single just past the glove of the first baseman to send home the runner from second and advanced another runner to third for the 3-1 lead.

Snelson stole second on the next pitch but Neo Drew was soon thrown out on a hit to shallow right field, ending the inning and leaving two runners on base.

FUNGO extend lead

In the bottom of the third, still up 3-1, Wake Forest managed to extend their lead with strong batting.

Aaron Bock began the frame with a walk, and following an out by Grant Ross, designated hitter JonAlan Richardson hit a single to right field with two strikes on the count to send Bock home.

On the next at-bat, Hudson Cepparulo hit a shot over the right field wall, putting up a two-run home run to send home Richardson and himself to take the 6-1 lead.

Josh Wilson then hit a short hopper to shortstop but beat the throw for the single. Snelson soon after hit a deep ball to the left-center wall for an RBI double, sending Wilson home for the 7-1 lead. After a walk by DiCarolo, Snelson was caught attempting to steal third, ending the inning.

The Hushpuppies managed a run in the following frame, however Wake Forest was able to respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Drew hit a double to right field and was advanced to third on the following at-bat by a single by Bock.

Ross nearly had a home run, with the hit just flying foul, but after a long stand in the batter’s box, was struck out looking.

Austin Williams stepped up to the plate, pinch-hitting for Richardson, and earned his first hit of the season with a single to send home Drew to take the 8-2 lead. This was all FUNGO could manage, leaving two runners on base after four.

FUNGO hold onto lead

The Hushpuppies put up a strong frame in the top of the fifth, scoring four to narrow the deficit down to two.

The following two frames were runless, but the bottom of the sixth saw FUNGO getting back on the board.

Bock led off the inning with a single, and after a flyout by Ross, Williams took a walk to put runners on first and second.

Cepparulo, with two runners on base, hit a deep single which nearly resulted in another homer but came just short. Williams, however, was called out at second after stepping off the bag attempting to beat the throw.

Wilson facing full count and two outs, hit an arcing shot to center field, just narrowly falling in front of the center fielder and sending Bock home.

Pinch hitter Jp Merlak, on the next at-bat, was walked. The catcher tried to catch Merlak off base at first but made a bad throw, allowing Cepparulo to reach home for the score.

Following a pitching change, Snelson with two batters in scoring position, two outs and a full count, was struck out swinging, ending the inning after a FUNGO two-run frame. Heading into the seventh, Wake Forest led the Hushpuppies 10-6.

The two runs in the sixth capped off scoring in the game as neither team could manage a run for the remainder of the innings. In the top of the ninth, Blake Hanly threw a 1-2-3 frame to put the Hushpuppies away and gave FUNGO the 10-6 win.

Player of the Game

Cepparulo earned FUNGO Player of the Game, earning two hits and two walks on five plate appearances, with two RBIs, three runs, two walks, a double and his second home run of the summer.

“We had to get the division dub,” said Cepparulo following the win. “We lost to Clayton last week so we needed a good division win.”

Up next

Wake Forest will remain at home and host the Coastal Coconuts on June 5 at 6:30.

While Wake Forest has seven games under their belt, this will come as the Coconuts’ season opener.

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