Five-Run Second Sparks Duke?s 11-5 Win Over Davidson

Wednesday, April 12

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

Davidson

Five-Run Second Sparks Duke?s 11-5 Win Over Davidson

4/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? Shortstop Brett Bartles and designated hitter Nate Freiman hit back-to-back two-run singles to spark a five-run second inning as the Duke Blue Devils defeated the Davidson Wildcats, 11-5, on Wednesday night at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils improve to 12-26 on the season while the Wildcats fall to 12-21.

Center fielder Jonathan Anderson was hit by a pitch to lead off the second. After Anderson advanced to second base on a passed ball, first baseman Jonathan Nicolla reached on a fielder's choice. Catcher Matt Williams then moved Anderson and Nicolla up a base with a sacrifice bunt. After third baseman Adam Murray drew a walk to load the bases, left fielder Daniel Palmer hit a dribbler down the third base line to score Anderson. Two batters later, Bartles lined a two-run single up the middle, scoring Nicolla and Murray. Freiman then capped the inning with a two-run single to right to give Duke a 5-0 advantage.

The Blue Devils grabbed a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a two-out RBI-single by Murray.

Duke scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to take an 8-0 lead. With two outs and Bartles on first, Freiman lined an 0-1 pitch off the wall in right center for an RBI-triple. Freiman would then score on a Davidson error.

The Blue Devils added three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take an 11-0 lead. After Palmer singled to left to start the inning, right fielder Jimmy Gallagher singled through the right side to give Duke runners on first and second. Bartles followed with an RBI-double to right center to score Palmer. Freiman then capped the frame with a two-run double down the left field line, scoring Gallagher and Bartles on his second two-base hit of the night.

Davidson scored three times in the top of the eighth on an RBI-double by catcher Alex Entrekin and a two-run single by third baseman Alden Crissey. The Wildcats then scored a pair of runs in the ninth on an RBI-triple by second baseman Ronnie Shore and an RBI-single by first baseman Rob Wilson to cap the scoring at 11-5.

Duke starter Sean O'Brien (1-0) picked up his first career victory, holding the Wildcats to one hit in 3.0 shutout innings. Freshman Andrew Wolcott worked 3.0 scoreless innings in relief and sophomore Ryan Perry added 1.0 shutout inning for the Blue Devils.

Davidson starter Michael Kaufman fell to 0-4 on the season after allowing five runs on four hits in 2.0 innings pitched.

Freiman led the Blue Devils at the plate, collecting a career-high five RBI on a career-high tying four hits. Freiman's five RBI came via a two-run single in the second, an RBI-triple in the fourth and a two-run double in the seventh.

Palmer had a career-high four hits and Bartles went 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored on a night when every Duke batter reached base.

Crissey led the way for Davidson, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Shore, shortstop Jay Heafner and center fielder Hugh Eden each collected a pair of hits for the Wildcats.

The Blue Devils will return to the diamond when they host Wake Forest for a three-game series Friday through Sunday at Jack Coombs Field. The weekend series with the Demon Deacons will wrap up a seven-game homestand for Duke. The Blue Devils will then travel to Blacksburg, Va., to face Virginia Tech for a three-game set April 21-23.

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