Duke Holds First Pitch Banquet Saturday Evening

Duke Baseball holds its annual first pitch banquet in Blue Devil Tower in Durham, NC - January 25, 2020

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Holds First Pitch Banquet Saturday Evening

1/26/2020 11:44:00 AM | Baseball

DURHAM, N.C. – With the 2020 season less than three weeks away, the Duke baseball program held its eighth annual First Pitch Banquet Saturday evening in the Blue Devil Tower to welcome the upcoming campaign.

The event included a sellout crowd and over 50 Duke baseball alumni, ranging from every decade dating back to the 1950s. The night began with a cocktail reception and a silent auction, which lasted for roughly an hour, with the dinner and program following shortly after. Head coach Chris Pollard honored the 2019 Duke baseball squad for their impressive season, which was highlighted by the school's second-consecutive Super Regional appearance.

Former Blue Devil standout Vaughn Schill (1997-99) served as the keynote speaker. Schill holds the Duke career record in both batting average and on-base percentage, with marks of .380 and .477, respectively, while ranking amongst the top five all-time in slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles and walks.

A two-way player at Duke, Schill is tied for second in school history in career saves with 13, while serving as one of only 13 players in Duke history to have posted a .300 batting average or better and at least 20 home runs across his career. The Audobon, N.J., native is the only three-time All-American in Duke baseball history. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle Mariners.

Following the First Pitch Banquet, GoDuke.com is set to kick off the campaign with the 2020 First Pitch Auction, featuring many items up for bid. Items include Duke baseball gear such as official hats and jerseys, as well as autographed baseballs and tickets to various events.

The 11th ranked Blue Devils open the 2020 season February 14-16, welcoming Army West Point to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for a three-game series.

#GoDuke