No. 13 Duke Hits Past No. 17 Clemson, 7-1

Sunday, March 20

Durham, N.C.

2 P.M.

Duke University

23-4, 8-1

Clemson

19-8, 1-5

Clemson

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

No. 13 Duke Hits Past No. 17 Clemson, 7-1

3/20/2022 8:11:00 PM | Softball

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DURHAM – No. 13 Duke softball (23-4, 8-1 ACC) used a five-run second inning to put away No. 17 Clemson, 7-1, in the rubber game of the weekend series on Sunday afternoon at Duke Softball Stadium.

Peyton St. George delivered a complete game to improve to 13-1 on the year, striking out 11 batters and allowing just three hits and one run to the Tigers (19-8, 1-5 ACC). Kamryn Jackson drove in three runs and Sarah Goddard hit a pinch-hit home run to pace the Blue Devil offense.

The Blue Devils' offense clicked quickly in the second inning, with back-to-back singles from Kelly Torres and Kristina Foreman and then a walk from Caroline Jacobsen to load the bases. Stepping in to pinch hit, Francesca Frelick drew a hit-by-pitch for the first run of the game, setting up an opportunity for Jackson.

The Tampa, Fla., native worked the count and found a pitch to hit, driving a double into right center field that cleared the bases, extending the Blue Devils' lead to 4-0 and forcing Clemson starter Brooke McCubbin out of the game. Clemson was able to get two more outs, but Jameson Kavel brought home Jackson on an RBI single, putting the Blue Devils up 5-0.

The lead was more than enough for St. George, who continued to strike out the Clemson batters at a high clip. St. George added another four strikeouts over the next three innings, holding the Tigers' offense in check.

In the sixth inning, Jackson reached base for the third time on a hit-by-pitch before Goddard came in to pinch hit. The sophomore jumped on a mistake from Tigers reliever Millie Thompson, launching a 1-2 pitch towards the flag poles in left field for a two-run home run to make it 7-0.

While Clemson got a run back on a solo home by Sam Russ, St. George punctuated the series win with a final strikeout to finish the game with 11 and secure the victory.

The Blue Devils will be back in action next weekend, traveling to South Bend, Ind., for a three-game set against Notre Dame. The series will open on Friday at 5 p.m., with coverage on ACC Network Extra for Friday and Saturday and ACC Network on Sunday.

Notes:

The Blue Devils took the series against the Tigers 2-1, winning their first ACC series against a ranked opponent in program history.
The Blue Devils are now 5-4 against ranked opponents this season.
St. George extended her complete game streak to six consecutive games.
Goddard's sixth inning home run was the first of her collegiate career.
Kavel matched her season-high and extended her on-base streak to 11 straight games.

To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL".

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