Bartles? Three-Run Homer Highlights Duke?s 15-4 Win Over Radford

Saturday, February 25

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Radford

Bartles? Three-Run Homer Highlights Duke?s 15-4 Win Over Radford

2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? Shortstop Brett Bartles launched a three-run homer to right center in a four-run second inning for the Duke Blue Devils as they routed visiting Radford, 15-4, on Saturday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils improve to 4-5 on the season while the Highlanders fall to 0-5.

With the score knotted at 2-2 entering the bottom of the second, right fielder Jimmy Gallagher roped a two-out single up the middle to start the four-run inning. After designated hitter Tim Sherlock singled through the left side, Bartles blasted his team-leading third homer of the season to give the Blue Devils a 5-2 advantage. First baseman Jonathan Nicolla then reached base and advanced to second on an error by Radford right fielder Raphael Turner to give Duke a runner in scoring position. Catcher Matt Williams capped the inning with an RBI-single up the middle, scoring Nicolla from second.

Radford took a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, scoring on a passed ball and on a sacrifice fly from Turner.

The Blue Devils tied the game at 2-2 by scoring two runs of their own in the first inning. After Sherlock drew a walk, Bartles laced an RBI-double to left center, scoring Sherlock from first. Nicolla then flew out to center field, advancing Bartles to third. Williams followed with an RBI-single up the middle, scoring Bartles to tie the game.

Duke would use a six-run third inning to take a 12-2 lead. Left fielder Javier Socorro led off the inning with a triple to right center. After third baseman Jeff Blickman was hit by a pitch, center fielder Jonathan Anderson dropped a sacrifice bunt to score Socorro and advance Blickman to second. Two consecutive walks to Gallagher and Sherlock loaded the bases for the Blue Devils.

Bartles then laced a three-run single to right, scoring Blickman, Gallagher and Sherlock. Bartles would advance to second on an error by Turner on the play. Nicolla then drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball that would score Bartles from second. Williams capped the inning with his third RBI-single of the day, scoring Nicolla from second.

The Highlanders would add two runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI-double from third baseman Drew Maus and a run-scoring single by center fielder Steven Ellis.

The Blue Devils pushed their lead to 14-4 in the bottom of the fifth. After Bartles was hit by a pitch, Nicolla blasted a two-run homer to left center for his first long ball of the season. Duke would score their final run of the game on an RBI-single by Sherlock in the eighth.

Duke starter Andrew Wolcott (1-0) picked up his first career win, holding the Highlanders to four runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings of work. Senior Sean O'Brien worked 3.0 scoreless innings to earn his second career save. Radford starter Eric Evans (0-2) lasted 2.2 innings after allowing 10 runs on seven hits to fall to 0-2 on the season.

Bartles led the Blue Devils at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a career-high seven RBI and four runs scored. Williams was 3-for-4 with a career-high three RBI, Nicolla went 1-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored and Sherlock was 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Socorro added a 2-for-3 performance while Anderson went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and Gallagher scored two runs for the Blue Devils.

Ellis went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Highlanders at the plate. Turner and Maus added one RBI apiece while second baseman David Landman and left fielder Will Naylor added a pair of hits each.

Duke and Radford will wrap up their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field. Left-handed pitcher Jimmy Gallagher (1-1, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Blue Devils.

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