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
Friday, May 7
Louisville, Ky.
6 P.M.
Duke University
at
Louisville
Duke Travels to No. 15 Louisville for ACC Series
5/6/2021 4:37:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM – The Duke baseball team travels to No. 15 Louisville for a three-game ACC road series this weekend at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
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FIRST PITCH
HOW TO FOLLOW
All three games between the Blue Devils and Cardinals will be streamed on ACC Network Extra. Chris Edwards also 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.
Friday, 6 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Saturday, 1 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Sunday, 1 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
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SERIES HISTORY
Duke and Louisville meet for the 11th time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 2015. Louisville leads the all-time series, 8-2, including a 2-1 mark in Louisville. Most recently, Louisville and Duke met in a top-25 ACC series in March of 2019 and the Cardinals took all three games at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Duke is seeking its first win over Louisville since April of 2017 when it won the first contest of a three-game series in Louisville. Head coach Chris Pollard is 2-8 against Louisville all-time with all meetings during his tenure at Duke.
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SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
One of the most dangerous teams in the ACC, the Cardinals have been a mainstay in the top-15 rankings across all publications. Louisville is coming off a bounceback win over Vanderbilt after being swept at Clemson. The Cardinals' setback against the Tigers was just their second ACC series loss so far this season. Louisville is among conference leaders in nearly every offensive category, ranking in the top-5 in batting average, runs scored, hits, triples, RBIs and stolen bases. Individually, Louisville is led by Henry Davis at the plate, batting .403 to lead the ACC. Davis also leads the team in runs (38), hits (56) and walks (29). On the bump, Michael Kirian leads the team with 50.1 innings pitched and 58 punchouts.
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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 80 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 long balls 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 360 batters in just 326.2 innings pitched.
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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*
             9.92          360               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 +47 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 125-88.
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Duke Run Differential By Inning
First     Second    Third     Fourth
30-16Â Â Â Â Â 33-37Â Â Â Â Â 27-21Â Â Â Â Â 45-14
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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 38 strikeouts to just six walks in 36 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.33. In his last five outings, Johnson has picked up two wins while allowing just four hits and two walks while fanning 17 batters in 11 scoreless innings pitched. In addition, he has held batters to a .111 batting average.
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UTILIZING THE LONG BALL
The Duke offense has erupted over the past 10 games, hitting 24 home runs in the span. In the last 10 games, the Blue Devils have scored 75 runs, with 40 of those runs coming from home runs. Graduate student Peter Matt and junior RJ Schreck have led the way, hitting six and five home runs, respectively, over the past 10 games. Duke's 44 home runs on the season rank eighth all-time in a single season in Duke history and are the second most in a single season under head coach Chris Pollard.
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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 (19-18, 9-15 ACC) travels to 15th-ranked Louisville (24-14, 14-9) for a three-game series at Jim Patterson Stadium, May 7-9. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by 1 p.m. tilts on both Saturday and Sunday.
- The Blue Devils return to ACC play after a weekend hiatus due to end of semester exams.
- 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.
- The Blue Devils have hit 44 home runs this season, the second-most in a single season under head coach Chris Pollard. Over the past 10 games, Duke has hit 24 home runs.
- Duke and Louisville meet for just the 11th time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 2015. Louisville leads the all-time series, 8-2, including a 2-1 mark at home. The Cardinals are currently riding a six-game winning streak in the series with Duke's last win coming in April 2017 at Louisville.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All three games between the Blue Devils and Cardinals will be streamed on ACC Network Extra. Chris Edwards also 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.
Friday, 6 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Saturday, 1 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Sunday, 1 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
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SERIES HISTORY
Duke and Louisville meet for the 11th time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 2015. Louisville leads the all-time series, 8-2, including a 2-1 mark in Louisville. Most recently, Louisville and Duke met in a top-25 ACC series in March of 2019 and the Cardinals took all three games at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Duke is seeking its first win over Louisville since April of 2017 when it won the first contest of a three-game series in Louisville. Head coach Chris Pollard is 2-8 against Louisville all-time with all meetings during his tenure at Duke.
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SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
One of the most dangerous teams in the ACC, the Cardinals have been a mainstay in the top-15 rankings across all publications. Louisville is coming off a bounceback win over Vanderbilt after being swept at Clemson. The Cardinals' setback against the Tigers was just their second ACC series loss so far this season. Louisville is among conference leaders in nearly every offensive category, ranking in the top-5 in batting average, runs scored, hits, triples, RBIs and stolen bases. Individually, Louisville is led by Henry Davis at the plate, batting .403 to lead the ACC. Davis also leads the team in runs (38), hits (56) and walks (29). On the bump, Michael Kirian leads the team with 50.1 innings pitched and 58 punchouts.
Â
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 80 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 long balls 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 360 batters in just 326.2 innings pitched.
Â
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*
             9.92          360               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 +47 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 125-88.
Â
Duke Run Differential By Inning
First     Second    Third     Fourth
30-16Â Â Â Â Â 33-37Â Â Â Â Â 27-21Â Â Â Â Â 45-14
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 38 strikeouts to just six walks in 36 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.33. In his last five outings, Johnson has picked up two wins while allowing just four hits and two walks while fanning 17 batters in 11 scoreless innings pitched. In addition, he has held batters to a .111 batting average.
Â
UTILIZING THE LONG BALL
The Duke offense has erupted over the past 10 games, hitting 24 home runs in the span. In the last 10 games, the Blue Devils have scored 75 runs, with 40 of those runs coming from home runs. Graduate student Peter Matt and junior RJ Schreck have led the way, hitting six and five home runs, respectively, over the past 10 games. Duke's 44 home runs on the season rank eighth all-time in a single season in Duke history and are the second most in a single season under head coach Chris Pollard.
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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.
Â
#GoDuke
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