Blue Devils End Season With Come-From-Behind Victory In The Ninth

Wednesday, May 17

Durham, N.C.

3:00 PM

Duke University

UNC Asheville

Palmer, Socorro and Freiman Named To All-ACC Academic Baseball Team

Blue Devils End Season With Come-From-Behind Victory In The Ninth

5/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? Second baseman Javier Socorro delivered a two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in his final collegiate at-bat and center fielder Jonathan Anderson scored the game-winning run on a passed ball to complete a 5-4 come-from-behind victory for the Duke Blue Devils over UNC Asheville on Wednesday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. Duke finishes the season 15-40 overall while the Bulldogs fall to 24-29.

Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, left fielder Daniel Palmer drew a walk to lead off the inning. Right fielder Jimmy Gallagher followed with a single through the right side to give the Blue Devils runners on first and second. Anderson then reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Three batters later, Socorro laced a two-run double down the left field line to tie the game at 4-4. Two pitches later, Anderson scored the game-winner on a passed ball to give Duke a victory in their final game of the season.

UNC Asheville took a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth. Catcher John Whited singled through the left side to start the frame. After Rob Vernon came in to pinch run, third baseman John Watlington moved Vernon into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, center fielder Kevin Mattison lined an RBI-double to right to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Left fielder Joe Pellington followed with an RBI-single through the left side to give UNCA the two-run advantage.

The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on an RBI-single by designated hitter Brett Robinson.

The Blue Devils would tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third. After catcher Matt Williams was hit by a pitch, he advanced to second on a groundout by Palmer. Williams then stole third base before scoring on an RBI-groundout by Gallagher.

Gallagher would give Duke a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, crushing a 1-1 pitch over the 375 sign in right center for his sixth home run of the year.

The Bulldogs then tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI-single by Pellington in the top of the seventh.

Duke reliever Andrew Wolcott (2-5) was the beneficiary of the come-from-behind win, picking up his second victory of the season. Starter Tony Bajoczky matched his career high with nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings and allowed only one earned run on eight hits.

UNCA closer Ben Buchanan fell to 4-5 on the year after allowing the three-run ninth.

Gallagher went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored to lead Duke at the plate. Third baseman Adam Murray collected three hits in his final collegiate game while Anderson added a pair of hits in the win.

The Blue Devils wrapped up their first season under first-year head coach Sean McNally with Wednesday's victory.

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