Anderson Holds Hokies To Seven Hits In Duke?s 15-1 Rout Of Virginia Tech

Saturday, April 22

Blacksburg, Va.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Virginia Tech

Anderson Holds Hokies To Seven Hits In Duke?s 15-1 Rout Of Virginia Tech

4/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

BLACKSBURG, Va. ? Duke starter Jonathan Anderson scattered seven hits over 8.0 innings to lead the Blue Devils to a 15-1 rout of Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon at English Field. Duke improves to 13-30 overall and 5-15 in the ACC while the Hokies fall to 17-23 overall and 3-17 in league action.

Anderson struck out four batters without allowing a walk to improve to 3-5 on the year. Sophomore Ryan Perry then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the win.

The Blue Devils took a 5-0 lead in the top of the second. First baseman Jonathan Nicolla lined a one-out double down the left field line to start the inning. After right fielder Adam Murray reached on an error by third baseman Bryan Thomas, catcher Matt Williams laced an RBI-double down the left field line. Left fielder Daniel Palmer followed with a two-run single through the right side to score Murray and Williams. Two batters later, center fielder Jimmy Gallagher capped the inning with a two-run shot, crushing a 3-2 pitch to straightaway center for his fourth home run of the season.

Duke would top its five-run second with a six-run third to take an 11-0 lead. Nicolla singled to right to begin the inning. After Murray drew a walk, Williams reached on a throwing error to load the bases. Palmer, third baseman Kyle Kreick and Gallagher would then draw three consecutive bases-loaded walks to give the Blue Devils an 8-0 advantage. Two batters later, designated hitter Nate Freiman roped a two-run single to left to score Palmer and Kreick. Second baseman Javier Socorro would draw the fifth walk of the inning to load the bases before Murray drew another bases-loaded walk to score Gallagher.

Virginia Tech scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the third when center fielder Nate Parks lined a one-out solo homer to left on the first pitch he saw.

The Blue Devils scored four times in the top of the fifth to take a 15-1 lead. After Freiman singled to center to start the inning, he advanced to second on a passed ball. Two batters later, Nicolla doubled off the center field wall to score Freiman. Murray followed with a single to give Duke runners on the corners. Williams then laced a two-run double to the gap in right center, scoring Nicolla and Murray. Palmer capped the frame with an RBI-double off the wall in left center to plate Williams.

Virginia Tech starter Greg Fryman lasted only 1.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits to fall to 3-5 on the season.

Freiman and Nicolla both went 3-for-5 to lead the Blue Devils at the plate. Palmer added a 2-for-4 day with four RBI while Gallagher and Williams collected two hits and three RBI apiece. Bartles also had a pair of hits in the win.

Right fielder Billy Marn was the only Hokie to collect a pair of hits on the day, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

With the victory, Duke matches last season's ACC win total with 10 more league games left to play.

The Blue Devils and Hokies will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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