Duke Drops Season Opener to VMI, 10-5

Friday, February 18

Durham, N.C.

4:00 P.M.

Duke University

0-1

Virginia Military Institute

1-0

VMI

Duke

Duke Drops Season Opener to VMI, 10-5

2/18/2022 8:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score BOX SCORE PLAY BY PLAY SEASON STATS PHOTO GALLERY

DURHAM – The Duke baseball program came up short in its season opener to Virginia Military Institute (VMI), 10-5, on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Sophomore Alex Stone and junior Graham Pauley led the Blue Devils at the plate with a two-hit day each. Stone finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run, while Pauley went 2-for-5. Graduate student Chris Davis also recorded two RBIs in his 1-for-3 performance.

Junior Marcus Johnson made his first collegiate start on the mound for the Blue Devils but was tagged with the loss. He allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work. VMI's Tyler Bradt earned the win after allowing three runs, one earned, and six hits with eight strikeouts in six innings pitched.

The Keydets jumped out in front in the top of the first inning, but the Blue Devils answered as graduate student Chris Crabtree drove in Pauley who reached on a leadoff double. The visitors would score the game's next six runs to retake a 7-1 lead.

Davis hit in a pair of runs with a single down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth, but VMI responded with three more in the next frame. In the bottom of the eighth, Stone recorded a two-out, two run blast, but it was too late as the Blue Devils' fell 10-5.

Sophomore Adam Boucher made an appearance out of the bullpen for Duke and helped stifle the VMI offense. Boucher closed the game, allowing just one hit and striking out a trio in 2.1 innings pitched.

Duke continues the series against VMI on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on ACCNX with Chris Edwards on the call. Fans can also listen in using the Varsity app.

NOTES:

Stone's home run in the eighth inning left the bat at 104 mph and was his first career home run.
Boucher's 2.1 innings pitched, three strikeouts and 54 pitches were all career highs.

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