DURHAM, NC – Duke softball returns to the Bull City this week for a pair of fall exhibition games in the Duke Softball Stadium.
On Thursday, the Blue Devils host cross-town foe North Carolina Central at 6:30 p.m. before two days later welcoming Charlotte in an afternoon tilt at 1 p.m. Both games are free to the public.
Following back-to-back weekends on the road, the Duke program is looking forward to being back in Durham after a handful of positive results. In the first weekend of October, the Blue Devils traveled to the North Carolina coast to play in a doubleheader against East Carolina and UNC-Wilmington. With a commanding 8-0 win in the opening game against the Pirates, Duke continued its victorious ways with a 7-5 victory against its host, the Seahawks.
Last weekend, Duke hit the road for its furthest trip during the fall exhibition season – Knoxville, Tenn., for a 10-inning game against Tennessee. The Blue Devils jumped out to a strong start against the Volunteers, leading 7-1 after eight innings. Duke saw success in all sides of the game – hitting, pitching and fielding. Ultimately, Tennessee's late-game rally saw the hosts take the victory, 9-7.
Looking ahead to the games this week, Duke holds a 1-0 record against Central, topping them 8-0 last season. Charlotte has provided closer games with the Blue Devils, falling to the 49ers in year one 2-3 in nine innings, before beating them 3-1 last season at home.
This weekend's fixtures against North Carolina Central and Charlotte provide more opportunities for the Duke softball team to prepare for the 2020 season.
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