Three UNC Greensboro Pitchers Combine On Five-Hit Shutout In 6-0 Win Over Duke

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming events

Tuesday, April 17

Durham, N.C.

7:00 PM

Duke University

UNC Greensboro

Three UNC Greensboro Pitchers Combine On Five-Hit Shutout In 6-0 Win Over Duke

4/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Three UNC Greensboro pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout to lead the Spartans to a 6-0 win over Duke on Tuesday night at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils fall to 23-16 on the season while the Spartans, who handed Duke only its second non-conference loss of the year, improve to 19-18.

Greensboro starter Rob Gilliam (1-0) picked up his first career win, holding the Blue Devils to four hits in six scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Clay Gibson came on in relief and tossed two hitless frames with a pair of strikeouts and Clinton McKinney worked a scoreless ninth for the Spartans.

UNC Greensboro jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. After third baseman Guy Welsh drew a two-out walk, leftfielder Greg Feltes singled to right, moving Welsh to third. First baseman Ricky Orton followed with an infield single to score Welsh.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, the Spartans got back-to-back singles by second baseman Tim Carrier and shortstop Matt Gaski before a walk to Welsh loaded the bases. Feltes followed with an RBI-single through the left side to score Carrier. Orton then sent a grounder between first and second where Duke second baseman Kyle Butler fielded the ball on the edge of the outfield grass. Butler threw to first but pitcher Andrew Wolcott could not hold on to the throw, allowing Gaski to score and giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead.

UNC Greensboro added three runs in the top of the ninth to extend its lead to 6-0. Centerfielder Corey Overholtzer singled to right and Carrier was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Welsh sent an RBI-single up the middle to score Overholtzer. Feltes then singled to center to drive in Carrier and Orton followed with a walk to load the bases. Two batters later, designated hitter Joel Johnson sent a grounder up the middle where Duke shortstop Ryan McCurdy made a diving stop behind the bag but was unable to make the flip to second, allowing Welsh to score.

Wolcott fell to 3-3 despite only allowing two earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work. He fanned four batters on the night.

Rightfielder Jonathan Anderson went 2-for-4 to pace the Blue Devils at the plate. First baseman Nate Freiman, catcher Matt Williams and Butler all added one hit apiece in the game.

Duke will host Maryland for a three-game series this weekend at Jack Coombs Field. Friday's game is set for 7 p.m., Saturday's game will begin at 2 p.m. and Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Blue Devils will then play host to Campbell next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

-d-u-k-e-