CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A big third inning jumpstarted a two-game sweep in Charlotte, as the Duke softball program defeated South Carolina, 8-0 on Sunday afternoon at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium.
The Blue Devils registered 11 hits and eight runs, with no errors to start the fall exhibition slate outscoring opponents 18-1. Senior
Caroline Jacobsen played a key role on offense, hitting a home run with 3 RBI. The pitching staff combined for a prolific, 10-inning shutout, limiting the Gamecocks to just six hits, while striking out 16.
Graduate student
Peyton St. George saw her first action of the fall in the circle and picked up right where she left off in the spring, keeping the South Carolina offense in check with eight strikeouts over four innings pitched.
The Blue Devils offense would give her plenty of run support, with an early 1-0 lead through two innings that was immediately extended with Jacobsen's three-run home run. Sophomore
Kelly Torres continued her strong opening weekend with an RBI single to drive home freshman
Ana Gold and take a 5-0 lead.
The offensive performance continued with two more runs in the fourth, as graduate student
Rachel Crabtree picked up an RBI, while another run scored on a Gamecocks error.
The lead was more than enough for the Blue Devils, who continued to set down Gamecocks batters. Sophomore newcomer
Jala Wright made her Blue Devils debut count, striking out five batters over four scoreless innings. Sophomore
Claire Davidson, who pitched three scoreless innings on Saturday, shut the door again with two more scoreless innings and three strikeouts, while adding an RBI single to put the game away.
It was a diverse offensive attack from the start of the game, with several players including Jacobsen, Torres, senior
Kyla Morris and junior
Gisele Tapia all recording multi-hit games.
The Blue Devils will head home to start a four-game stretch in Durham, beginning with a game against NC State on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
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