Carey, Crabtree Lead Duke Past Clemson, 5-1

Thursday, May 20

Clemson, S.C.

6 P.M.

Duke University

26-20, 14-17

Clemson

24-24, 16-18

Duke

Clemson

Carey, Crabtree Lead Duke Past Clemson, 5-1

5/20/2021 10:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score BOX SCORE SEASON STATS CHRIS POLLARD POSTGAME

CLEMSON, S.C. – Senior Chris Crabtree's two home runs and junior Jack Carey's gem on the mound led the Duke baseball team to a 5-1 win in game one of the three-game ACC series against Clemson on Thursday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Offensively, the Blue Devils (26-20, 14-17 ACC) utilized three home runs to score four of its five runs. Crabtree led Duke with two solo home runs, finishing 2-for-4. Senior Joey Loperfido and junior Ethan Murray also recorded multi-hit days. Loperfido added two RBIs and two runs scored.

Carey recorded a quality start for the Blue Devils, allowing just one earned run on four hits and no walks in seven innings pitched. Carey was stellar for Duke, fanning nine during his time on the hill and retired 11 consecutive batters to finish his appearance.

Duke jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. Senior Joey Loperfido was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and stole second to get in scoring position with no outs. A single from junior RJ Schreck moved Loperfido to third before a wild pitch allowed him to score and give Duke the lead.

Crabtree sent the first pitch of the second inning over the wall in right field to double the Blue Devils' lead, 2-0. The Tigers responded in the bottom of the first, using a sacrifice fly to plate a run and half the deficit.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Crabtree again took the first pitch of his at-bat for a big fly, this time to right center field.

Duke tacked on two more insurance runs as four consecutive Blue Devils reached base with two outs. Loperfido's two-run home run provided the runs and doubled the Duke lead, 5-1.

Sophomore Marcus Johnson closed the game for the Blue Devils, facing the minimum six batters over two innings of work while striking out three. The Fontana, Calif., native earned his team-leading fifth game of the season.

Duke and Clemson return to Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday at 6 p.m. for game two of the three-game series.

Postgame Notes:

Duke saw a Blue Devil hit two home runs in a single game for the seventh time this season. It was Crabtree's second career game with two home runs and first this season.
Crabtree's two homers traveled 351 and 395 ft., respectively.
Carey's nine strikeouts tied his career high, previously set against Wake Forest earlier this season.
Carey pitched seven innings for the third consecutive start, all matching his career high.
Murray stole two bases in the contest, a season-high.
Loperfido extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Crabtree has now reached base in his 16^th consecutive game, matching the second-longest streak by a Blue Devil this season.

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