WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — Dalton Wentz drove in four runs, including a two-run homer, and four Wake Forest pitchers combined to allow just one hit as the Demon Deacons routed Elon 11-1 in nonconference baseball action Tuesday night at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park.

The Demon Deacons (18-7) seized control early, scoring twice in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. After singles by Javar Williams and Kade Lewis, a hit-by-pitch from Luke Costello forced in the tying run before Matt Conte’s groundout gave Wake Forest a lead it would not relinquish.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the third inning, effectively extinguishing any hope of an Elon comeback. After Lewis reached on an error by shortstop Jake Hajdu, Wentz stepped in and launched a two-run homer to left field. The blast stretched the Wake Forest lead to 4-0 and capitalized on the Phoenix’s defensive miscue, setting a dominant tone for the remainder of the contest.

Wake Forest starter Duncan Marsten was stellar, earning the win with 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball. He surrendered just one hit—a fifth-inning infield single by Brent Smith—while striking out five. The performance was a sharp rebound for Marsten, who was tagged for seven earned runs in three innings against Florida State in his previous outing on March 15.

Elon (10-14) scored its lone run in the fifth without a hit. Hajdu was hit by a pitch, advanced on a wild pitch, and came home on two more wild pitches from Marsten and reliever Zach Johnston. The Phoenix managed only Smith’s single and seven walks total, struggling to generate offense all evening.

Following Marsten, the Wake Forest bullpen was overpowering. Marcelo Harsch struck out five of the six batters he faced in 1 2/3 perfect innings. Michael Staiano provided one of the few bright spots for Elon, throwing 1 1/3 hitless innings of relief with two strikeouts.

Wake Forest broke the game open with a four-run seventh inning. The rally featured an RBI double from Wentz, his fourth and fifth RBIs of the night, and a run-scoring single from Costello, his second RBI. The Demon Deacons finished with 12 hits, with Lewis, Boston Torres, Jackson Miller, Andrew Costello and JD Stein all collecting multiple hits. Stein added an RBI single.

Elon used five pitchers, with starter Cole Miller taking the loss after allowing three earned runs over three innings. The Phoenix have lost four of their last five games.

Wake Forest next hosts a three-game series against California beginning Friday. Elon returns home to open a series against Monmouth on Friday.