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Blue Team Takes Opener of Fall World Series
11/4/2020 9:34:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. – The Blue squad registered three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and register a 4-1 victory Thursday night in the opening game of Duke's Fall World Series.
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It was a pitchers duel for much of the first four innings until junior left fielder Jake Topolski broke through for a single to right center to kick off the fourth. Redshirt senior Chris Dutra eventually brought him home thanks to a sacrifice fly ball a little later in the frame.
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The Black team would not go down without a fight though as they knotted the score at 1-1 in the top half of the sixth thanks to an RBI single to right field from designated hitter Chris Davis. His knock brought home rookie Luke Storm, who led-off the inning with a walk.
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The Blue side quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame when they plated three runs with two outs. After registering the first two outs of the inning, the Black team saw Topolski, Joey Loperfido, and Dutra earn three consecutive hits to break the deadlock at 2-1. Senior catcher Michael Rothenberg was then hit by a pitch to load the bases before an Alex Stone single to right field scored two additional runs.
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Despite allowing one hit in the top of the seventh, junior lefty Kyle Salley closed things out to earn the save and the win for the Blue team.
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"Game 1 was without a doubt a tremendous pitchers duel," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Jack Carey and Henry Williams both gave terrific starts. As is often the case in well-pitched games, it came down to who gets the key two out hits and today that was Coach Jordan's Blue squad.
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"Jake Topolski gave the Blue team a definite spark out of the bottom of the lineup. His first single broke up the 'no no' in the fourth, while his second single started that two-out rally in the sixth. Two hits, two runs scored, and he was disruptive on the bases tonight."
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Right-handed pitcher Henry Williams was credited with the win after going 6.0 innings allowing three hits and one earned run. Starting pitcher Jack Carey earned a no-decision after giving up just one hit and one earned run in 5.0 innings of work. Jimmy Loper was tagged for the loss, allowing four hits and three runs in one inning on the mound.
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Topolski went 2-for-2 with two runs, and joined Loperfido, Dutra, and Stone as the four players who finished the game with at least one hit for the Blue team. Davis, Peter Matt, Chase Cheek, and Matt Stinebiser all posted hits for the Black team.
The two teams return to the diamond Friday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field for Game 2 of the Fall World Series. Starting pitchers for that contest have yet to be determined.
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NOTE: Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Duke University protocols, fans will not be allowed inside the stadium.
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#GoDuke
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It was a pitchers duel for much of the first four innings until junior left fielder Jake Topolski broke through for a single to right center to kick off the fourth. Redshirt senior Chris Dutra eventually brought him home thanks to a sacrifice fly ball a little later in the frame.
Â
The Black team would not go down without a fight though as they knotted the score at 1-1 in the top half of the sixth thanks to an RBI single to right field from designated hitter Chris Davis. His knock brought home rookie Luke Storm, who led-off the inning with a walk.
Â
The Blue side quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame when they plated three runs with two outs. After registering the first two outs of the inning, the Black team saw Topolski, Joey Loperfido, and Dutra earn three consecutive hits to break the deadlock at 2-1. Senior catcher Michael Rothenberg was then hit by a pitch to load the bases before an Alex Stone single to right field scored two additional runs.
Â
Despite allowing one hit in the top of the seventh, junior lefty Kyle Salley closed things out to earn the save and the win for the Blue team.
Â
"Game 1 was without a doubt a tremendous pitchers duel," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Jack Carey and Henry Williams both gave terrific starts. As is often the case in well-pitched games, it came down to who gets the key two out hits and today that was Coach Jordan's Blue squad.
Â
"Jake Topolski gave the Blue team a definite spark out of the bottom of the lineup. His first single broke up the 'no no' in the fourth, while his second single started that two-out rally in the sixth. Two hits, two runs scored, and he was disruptive on the bases tonight."
Â
Right-handed pitcher Henry Williams was credited with the win after going 6.0 innings allowing three hits and one earned run. Starting pitcher Jack Carey earned a no-decision after giving up just one hit and one earned run in 5.0 innings of work. Jimmy Loper was tagged for the loss, allowing four hits and three runs in one inning on the mound.
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Topolski went 2-for-2 with two runs, and joined Loperfido, Dutra, and Stone as the four players who finished the game with at least one hit for the Blue team. Davis, Peter Matt, Chase Cheek, and Matt Stinebiser all posted hits for the Black team.
The two teams return to the diamond Friday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field for Game 2 of the Fall World Series. Starting pitchers for that contest have yet to be determined.
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NOTE: Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Duke University protocols, fans will not be allowed inside the stadium.
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#GoDuke
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