The final regular‑season home game at Worthington Field turned into a tightly contested battle as Wake Forest edged Liberty 7-5. The win not only capped a dominant stretch for the Deacons but also underscored their resilience in the closing innings.
Key Performances at the Plate
Riley DeCandido paced the offense with a 3-for-4 outing, driving in a run and showcasing his consistent contact skills. Meanwhile, Andrew Costello added two hits, was hit by a pitch, and crossed the plate three times, while his brother Luke Costello launched his 17th home run of the season, a decisive blow that shifted momentum.
Wake Forest outhit Liberty 8-7, but the real story unfolded on the mound. The Deacons' bullpen shut down Liberty's rally attempt, with Ryan Bosch tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win and Rhys Bowie sealing the game with his second save of the season.
Liberty's reliever Brandon Dahlman struggled, surrendering three runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings, which proved costly. The Flames' defense also slipped, committing errors that extended the Deacons' rally and contributed to the final margin.
The victory extended Wake Forest's winning streak to eight games, pushing their season record to 36-17. Liberty, now 36-17 as well, dropped four of their last five contests and will close the 2026 regular season with a three‑game CUSA series against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
Both programs look ahead to their respective conference schedules, with Wake Forest aiming to carry this momentum into the postseason, while Liberty hopes to regroup and finish the year strong. The contrasting outcomes highlight the fine margins that define college baseball at the highest level.