Seahawk Pitchers Combine For Two-Hit Shutout In Win Over Blue Devils

Wednesday, March 1

Wilmington, N.C.

3:00 PM

Duke University

UNC Wilmington

Blue Devils Open Three-Game ACC Series With No. 1 Florida State On Friday

Seahawk Pitchers Combine For Two-Hit Shutout In Win Over Blue Devils

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

WILMINGTON, N.C. ? Right-hander Brett Braxton threw six hitless innings to lead the UNC Wilmington Seahawks to a 17-0 win over the Duke Blue Devils on Wednesday afternoon at Brooks Field. The Blue Devils fall to 4-8 on the season while the Seahawks improve to 7-3.

Making his first start of the season, Braxton (2-0) held the Blue Devils to one hit in 7.0 scoreless innings of work. He struck out a career-high 12 batters to pick up his second win of the year.

UNCW grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Designated hitter Jonathan Batts led off the inning with a walk before left fielder Justin Barefoot was hit by a pitch. After retiring the next two batters, Duke starter Daniel Palmer walked first baseman Lee McLean to load the bases. Catcher Chris Hatcher then roped a two-run single to right center, scoring Batts and Barefoot. After advancing to third on Hatcher's two-run single, McLean would score on a wild pitch to cap the three-run inning.

The Seahawks took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Right fielder John Raynor was hit by a pitch before a walk to Batts gave UNCW runners on first and second. After stealing third base, Raynor would score on Barefoot's sacrifice fly to center.

In the bottom of the fourth, UNCW took a five-run lead when Hatcher scored on a fielder's choice. Hatcher doubled down the left field line to start the inning. After shortstop Michael Marbry grounded out to short and third baseman Matt Poulk was hit by a pitch, Raynor reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Hatcher to score from second.

The Seahawks would take an 8-0 lead on RBI-singles by Hatcher and Marbry in the fifth inning and a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Batts in the sixth.

UNCW would score nine runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 17-0 lead. McLean singled up the middle to start the inning before advancing to second on Hatcher's single to right field. McLean and Hatcher would both move up a base on a groundout by Marbry before an intentional walk to Poulk loaded the bases. Raynor then laced a two-run double down the left field line to score McLean and Hatcher. Batts followed with an RBI-single through the left side, scoring Poulk.

Daniel Hargrave then launched a three-run shot over the left field wall to give the Seahawks a 14-0 advantage. Hatcher would cap the nine-run inning with a three-run homer over the 380 sign in center field.

Palmer (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on two hits in 2.0 innings pitched.

The Blue Devils will open ACC play this weekend, hosting the Maryland Terrapins for a three-game set at Jack Coombs Field. The series starts Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday's games are scheduled for 1 p.m.

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