Completed Event: Baseball versus Murray State on June 9, 2025 , Loss , 4, to, 5
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Final
Baseball
4
vs Murray State
5
Tuesday, May 4
Durham, N.C.
6 P.M.
Duke University
vs
William & Mary
Duke Hosts William & Mary Tuesday
5/3/2021 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM – The Duke baseball team returns to play on Tuesday as the Blue Devils host William & Mary for a midweek matchup at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, N.C.
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FIRST PITCH
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tuesday's game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra with Ryan Craig on the call. Chris Edwards has the call for all three games on the Blue Devil Sports Network from Learfield IMG College and will be available on GoDuke.com or the TuneIn app.
Tuesday, 6 p.m. – TuneIn – Live StatsÂ
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SERIES HISTORY
Duke and William & Mary meet for the 32nd time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 1912, but just the fourth time in the past 25 years. Duke leads the all-time series, 19-11-1, with a 10-5 advantage in Durham. In the previous three meetings over the past 25 years, Duke holds a 2-1 record with both wins coming at home. Most recently, Duke hosted the Tribe in Durham early in the 2020 season, topping William & Mary, 5-0. Head coach Chris Pollard is 1-0 against William & Mary all-time, with the lone meeting being last season.
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SCOUTING THE TRIBE
After opening the season 6-18, William & Mary has won six of its last nine games, including series wins over Elon and James Madison. The Tribe most recently took the first game of the series at UNCW, but dropped games two and three while being outscored a combined 12-0. William & Mary holds just a .220 team batting average this season, but is led individually by Ben Williamson who is hitting .326 with eight doubles while starting all 33 games. Also, Jack Cone as been solid offensively for the Tribe, batting .308 with a team-leading three triples. Cone also puts in time on the mound, leading the team with three saves. William & Mary are led by Wade Strain on the mound, who leads the team in innings pitched (59.2) and strikeouts (52).
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ROTHENBERG APPROACHING RECORD BOOKS
Senior Michael Rothenberg is currently tied for 14th in program history in home runs with 21. He is also nearing the top-25 charts in school history in walks and RBIs. The Boca Raton, Fla., native has 79 career walks, nearing Luis Duarte's 86 from 1992-95 that ranks 25th. His 111 career RBIs are approaching JD Alleva (1998-01) and Jeff Piscorik (1992-95) who tie for 25th in school history with 122.
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CIRCLING THE PILLOWS IN STYLE
Duke hit eight home runs in the three-game series at Virginia, the most in a single three-game series under head coach Chris Pollard. In addition, senior Michael Rothenberg hit longballs in back-to-back at bats during Friday's game to become the first Blue Devil to do so in a single game since Kennie Taylor accomplished the task at Georgia Tech on May 17, 2018. Just two games after Rothenberg accomplished the feat, teammate graduate student Peter Matt also hit home runs in back-to-back at bats on Sunday at Virginia.
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JOHNSON AND FOX STELLAR IN APRIL
Sophomore Marcus Johnson and freshman Luke Fox were stellar on the bump for the Blue Devils in the month of April. Johnson (1.15) and Fox (1.20) ranked first and second in the ACC in ERA for the month, both holding opposing batters to a sub-.200 batting average. The duo combined to allow just four earned runs on 16 hits and five walks while striking out 41 batters in 30.2 innings of work in the month of April.
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WELCOME TO K-VILLE
The Blue Devil pitching staff has ascended to new heights over the past three seasons, shattering the school's single-season strikeout record in 2018 and 2019. This season, Duke is continuing to strike out batters at record rates, fanning 345 batters in just 317.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Henry Williams leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched this season.
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Duke season strikeout totals (Team records)
Rank     K/9       Strikeouts        Season  Â
1.          9.72          598               2019
2.          9.12          575               2018
             11.51       183               2020*
             9.80          345               2021
*Season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic
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STARTING GAMES STRONG
This season, Duke has jumped out on its opponents in the opening four innings of games. The Blue Devils hold a +41 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 126-85.
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Duke Run Differential By Inning
First     Second    Third     Fourth
24-16Â Â Â Â Â 33-35Â Â Â Â Â 27-21Â Â Â Â Â 42-13
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JOHNSON CLOSING FOR DUKE
Sophomore Marcus Johnson has emerged as Duke's go-to closer during the 2021 season. The Fontana, Calif., native has shown excellent control and pounded the strike zone, totaling 31 strikeouts to just five walks in 30.2 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.2. In his last four outings, Johnson has picked up two wins while allowing just two hits and two walks while fanning 14 batters in 10 scoreless innings pitched. In addition, he has held batters to a .065 batting average.
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TRIPLING INTO THE RECORD BOOK
Junior Ethan Murray tripled twice in the fourth inning against Campbell on April 13. Murray's pair of triples in a single inning was just the ninth time that has happened in Division I NCAA history, and the first time since 2008.
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DUKE CONTINUES K'S 4 KIDS' CANCER
Duke baseball announced the renewal of the K's 4 Kids' Cancer campaign, which is now in its third season with the team. Fans can help Duke baseball strikeout children's cancer by making a pledge for every strikeout that Blue Devil pitchers rack up this season. In just two years, the campaign has raised over $25,000 and all funds go directly to support cancer research and patient care at Duke Children's Hospital.
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#GoDuke
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FIRST PITCH
- Duke (18-18, 9-15 ACC) hosts William & Mary (12-21, 9-9 CAA) on Tuesday at Jack Coombs Field on Duke's campus. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
- The Blue Devils return to Coombs Field for just the second time this season, last playing at Coombs on March 23 against UNC Greensboro. Duke's final five home contests of the 2021 season will be played at Coombs Field.
- Senior Chris Crabtree recorded his 100th career hit at Virginia on April 25. Crabtree is one of eighth Blue Devils to boast triple-digit career hits.
- Duke and William & Mary meet for just the 32nd time in the two programs histories, dating back to 1912. Duke leads the all-time series 19-11-1, including a 10-5 advantage in Durham. Tuesday's game will be just the fourth contest between the two teams in the past 25 seasons.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tuesday's game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra with Ryan Craig on the call. Chris Edwards has the call for all three games on the Blue Devil Sports Network from Learfield IMG College and will be available on GoDuke.com or the TuneIn app.
Tuesday, 6 p.m. – TuneIn – Live StatsÂ
Â
SERIES HISTORY
Duke and William & Mary meet for the 32nd time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 1912, but just the fourth time in the past 25 years. Duke leads the all-time series, 19-11-1, with a 10-5 advantage in Durham. In the previous three meetings over the past 25 years, Duke holds a 2-1 record with both wins coming at home. Most recently, Duke hosted the Tribe in Durham early in the 2020 season, topping William & Mary, 5-0. Head coach Chris Pollard is 1-0 against William & Mary all-time, with the lone meeting being last season.
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SCOUTING THE TRIBE
After opening the season 6-18, William & Mary has won six of its last nine games, including series wins over Elon and James Madison. The Tribe most recently took the first game of the series at UNCW, but dropped games two and three while being outscored a combined 12-0. William & Mary holds just a .220 team batting average this season, but is led individually by Ben Williamson who is hitting .326 with eight doubles while starting all 33 games. Also, Jack Cone as been solid offensively for the Tribe, batting .308 with a team-leading three triples. Cone also puts in time on the mound, leading the team with three saves. William & Mary are led by Wade Strain on the mound, who leads the team in innings pitched (59.2) and strikeouts (52).
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ROTHENBERG APPROACHING RECORD BOOKS
Senior Michael Rothenberg is currently tied for 14th in program history in home runs with 21. He is also nearing the top-25 charts in school history in walks and RBIs. The Boca Raton, Fla., native has 79 career walks, nearing Luis Duarte's 86 from 1992-95 that ranks 25th. His 111 career RBIs are approaching JD Alleva (1998-01) and Jeff Piscorik (1992-95) who tie for 25th in school history with 122.
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CIRCLING THE PILLOWS IN STYLE
Duke hit eight home runs in the three-game series at Virginia, the most in a single three-game series under head coach Chris Pollard. In addition, senior Michael Rothenberg hit longballs in back-to-back at bats during Friday's game to become the first Blue Devil to do so in a single game since Kennie Taylor accomplished the task at Georgia Tech on May 17, 2018. Just two games after Rothenberg accomplished the feat, teammate graduate student Peter Matt also hit home runs in back-to-back at bats on Sunday at Virginia.
Â
JOHNSON AND FOX STELLAR IN APRIL
Sophomore Marcus Johnson and freshman Luke Fox were stellar on the bump for the Blue Devils in the month of April. Johnson (1.15) and Fox (1.20) ranked first and second in the ACC in ERA for the month, both holding opposing batters to a sub-.200 batting average. The duo combined to allow just four earned runs on 16 hits and five walks while striking out 41 batters in 30.2 innings of work in the month of April.
Â
WELCOME TO K-VILLE
The Blue Devil pitching staff has ascended to new heights over the past three seasons, shattering the school's single-season strikeout record in 2018 and 2019. This season, Duke is continuing to strike out batters at record rates, fanning 345 batters in just 317.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Henry Williams leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched this season.
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Duke season strikeout totals (Team records)
Rank     K/9       Strikeouts        Season  Â
1.          9.72          598               2019
2.          9.12          575               2018
             11.51       183               2020*
             9.80          345               2021
*Season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic
Â
STARTING GAMES STRONG
This season, Duke has jumped out on its opponents in the opening four innings of games. The Blue Devils hold a +41 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 126-85.
Â
Duke Run Differential By Inning
First     Second    Third     Fourth
24-16Â Â Â Â Â 33-35Â Â Â Â Â 27-21Â Â Â Â Â 42-13
Â
JOHNSON CLOSING FOR DUKE
Sophomore Marcus Johnson has emerged as Duke's go-to closer during the 2021 season. The Fontana, Calif., native has shown excellent control and pounded the strike zone, totaling 31 strikeouts to just five walks in 30.2 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.2. In his last four outings, Johnson has picked up two wins while allowing just two hits and two walks while fanning 14 batters in 10 scoreless innings pitched. In addition, he has held batters to a .065 batting average.
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TRIPLING INTO THE RECORD BOOK
Junior Ethan Murray tripled twice in the fourth inning against Campbell on April 13. Murray's pair of triples in a single inning was just the ninth time that has happened in Division I NCAA history, and the first time since 2008.
Â
DUKE CONTINUES K'S 4 KIDS' CANCER
Duke baseball announced the renewal of the K's 4 Kids' Cancer campaign, which is now in its third season with the team. Fans can help Duke baseball strikeout children's cancer by making a pledge for every strikeout that Blue Devil pitchers rack up this season. In just two years, the campaign has raised over $25,000 and all funds go directly to support cancer research and patient care at Duke Children's Hospital.
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#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
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