Duke Takes Series With 4-2 Win Over Maryland On Sunday

Sunday, April 22

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Maryland

Duke Takes Series With 4-2 Win Over Maryland On Sunday

4/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? The Duke baseball team picked up its first ACC series win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Maryland on Sunday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils improve to 25-17 overall and 6-15 in the ACC while the Terrapins fall to 23-20 and 7-14, respectively.

The 25 wins on the season tie for the second-most victories over the last 10 years for the Blue Devils, matching 2004's win total and trailing only 1998's 38 wins. The six ACC victories also tie last year's conference win total.

Duke jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. First baseman Nate Freiman and third baseman Brett Bartles hit back-to-back home runs to start the inning. Freiman turned on a 1-1 offering and sent a leadoff blast down the left field line. It was the fourth home run of the season for Freiman and the ninth of his career. Bartles then belted a solo shot to left on a 1-1 pitch for his sixth long ball of the year and 13th of his career. It was the second time this season and third time in the last two years that Freiman and Bartles have hit back-to-back home runs. Leftfielder Alexander Hassan then lined a triple into the gap in right center. Two batters later, shortstop Gabriel Saade sent an RBI-double to right center to score Hassan.

Maryland scored its first run of the day in the top of the third to make it a 3-1 ballgame. Designated hitter AJ Casario singled through the right side before stealing second to begin the frame. Leftfielder Wink Nolan then struck out swinging but catcher Matt Williams was unable to hold on to the pitch and Nolan reached first when the throw from Williams pulled Freiman off the bag, allowing Casario to advance to third. Centerfielder Nick Jowers then sent a high chopper to third where Bartles leaped to take away a hit and then threw out Casario at the plate to keep the Terrapins scoreless. Second baseman Steve Braun followed with a single to left to load the bases. Rightfielder Dan Benick then drove in Nolan on a fielder's choice.

Centerfielder Jimmy Gallagher singled up the middle and stole second to start the bottom of the third. Rightfielder Jonathan Anderson then moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Freiman popped up to the right side of the mound but first baseman Gerry Spessard dropped the ball, allowing Gallagher to score and giving the Blue Devils a 4-1 lead.

Casario added a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth to drive in catcher Chad Durakis, cutting Duke's lead to 4-2.

Duke starter Andrew Wolcott improved to 4-3 on the season, holding the Terrapins to one earned run on five hits in six innings of work. Wolcott struck out a career-high nine batters in the win without allowing a walk. Freshman Michael Seander then came in and tossed three shutout innings without giving up a hit to pick up his eighth save of the year. Seander's eighth save moves him into a tie for second place on Duke's single-season chart and into a tie for fourth place on the career saves list. He also fanned a career-high tying three batters while walking none in the game.

Bartles went 2-for-4 with a home run to lead to Blue Devils at the plate. Freiman finished 1-for-3 with a homer, Saade was 2-for-4 with an RBI-double, Anderson went 2-for-3, Hassan finished 1-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, Gallagher was 1-for-3 with a run scored and designated hitter Tim Sherlock went 1-for-4.

Maryland starter Kevin Biringer fell to 3-8 after allowing four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings pitched.

The Blue Devils will host Campbell on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Duke will then travel to Winston-Salem to face Wake Forest next weekend.

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