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Blue Team Improves to 3-0 in Fall World Series
11/7/2020 9:37:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. – The Blue team closed out Saturday with two more victories to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Black team in Duke's Fall World Series.
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"What an impressive showing by the Blue squad," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Great starting pitch and clutch two-out hitting. That's always a good combination in our sport. Very proud of Marcus Johnson. He had a great start and he's had an impressive fall."
After having to suspend Friday night's Game 2 due to timing, the two teams resumed the contest locked at 3-3 in extra innings on Saturday. Senior Michael Rothenberg broke the deadlock with an RBI double to put the Blue team on top 4-3. Sophomore right hander Marcus Johnson then came in for the Blue squad in the bottom half of the eighth to retire the side down in order, including two strikeouts to seal the win.
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Johnson got the starting nod for the Blue team in Game 3 as well going 5.0 innings on the mound allowing two runs. Sophomore pitcher Colten Smith finished Game 2 for the Black squad and also earned the start for them in Game 3. In his 5.0 innings of work, Smith did not give up a run in the no decision.
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The Black team took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after a Chase Cheek RBI single brought home Ethan Murray, who doubled earlier in the frame.
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Neither team were able to break through over the next three innings until junior Rudy Maxwell blasted a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth to extend the Black team's lead to 2-0.
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The Blue team quickly answered in the top of the sixth with a four-run frame led by an Alex Stone two-RBI single that brought home Joey Loperfido and Chris Dutra. Also touching home plate during the inning was Erikson Nichols and Jake Topolski.
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The Blue squad then scored seven unanswered runs, two in the seventh and five in the eighth, over the next two frames to create an 11-2 gap between the teams. Redshirt junior Wil Hoyle's two-RBI single highlighted that rally.
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Unfortunately, the Black team was never able to recover.
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Along with Johnson, the Blue team also saw Aaron Beasley, Kyle Salley, and Adam Boucher take the hill. The Black team rolled out a corps of pitchers throughout the game in Smith, Oliver McCarthy, Jimmy Loper, Mason Manriquez, and Jay Gamboa.
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The two teams return to Jack Coombs Field on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. for Game 4 of the Fall World Series. Starting pitchers for that contest have yet to be determined.
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NOTE:Â 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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"What an impressive showing by the Blue squad," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Great starting pitch and clutch two-out hitting. That's always a good combination in our sport. Very proud of Marcus Johnson. He had a great start and he's had an impressive fall."
After having to suspend Friday night's Game 2 due to timing, the two teams resumed the contest locked at 3-3 in extra innings on Saturday. Senior Michael Rothenberg broke the deadlock with an RBI double to put the Blue team on top 4-3. Sophomore right hander Marcus Johnson then came in for the Blue squad in the bottom half of the eighth to retire the side down in order, including two strikeouts to seal the win.
Â
Johnson got the starting nod for the Blue team in Game 3 as well going 5.0 innings on the mound allowing two runs. Sophomore pitcher Colten Smith finished Game 2 for the Black squad and also earned the start for them in Game 3. In his 5.0 innings of work, Smith did not give up a run in the no decision.
Â
The Black team took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after a Chase Cheek RBI single brought home Ethan Murray, who doubled earlier in the frame.
Â
Neither team were able to break through over the next three innings until junior Rudy Maxwell blasted a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth to extend the Black team's lead to 2-0.
Â
The Blue team quickly answered in the top of the sixth with a four-run frame led by an Alex Stone two-RBI single that brought home Joey Loperfido and Chris Dutra. Also touching home plate during the inning was Erikson Nichols and Jake Topolski.
Â
The Blue squad then scored seven unanswered runs, two in the seventh and five in the eighth, over the next two frames to create an 11-2 gap between the teams. Redshirt junior Wil Hoyle's two-RBI single highlighted that rally.
Â
Unfortunately, the Black team was never able to recover.
Â
Along with Johnson, the Blue team also saw Aaron Beasley, Kyle Salley, and Adam Boucher take the hill. The Black team rolled out a corps of pitchers throughout the game in Smith, Oliver McCarthy, Jimmy Loper, Mason Manriquez, and Jay Gamboa.
Â
The two teams return to Jack Coombs Field on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. for Game 4 of the Fall World Series. Starting pitchers for that contest have yet to be determined.
Â
NOTE:Â Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Duke University protocols, fans will not be allowed inside the stadium.
Â
#GoDuke
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