Duke Drops Friday Matinee Against NC State, 5-3

Friday, May 13

Durham, N.C.

12:00 P.M.

Duke University

20-28, 0

NC State

31-16, 0

NC State

Duke

Duke Drops Friday Matinee Against NC State, 5-3

5/13/2022 3:20:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score BOX SCORE SEASON STATS PHOTO GALLERY COACH POLLARD POSTGAME

DURHAM – A four-run seventh inning proved to be the difference as the Duke baseball team dropped the series-opener to NC State, 5-3, on Friday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field.

Duke (20-28, 9-16 ACC) held a one-run lead after the third inning and doubled its advantage in the sixth, but NC State (31-16, 13-11 ACC) scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to win, 5-3.

Freshman Alex Mooney continued to lead Duke throughout the second half of the season with a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Mooney recorded an RBI, a run scored and a double while boosting his average to .414 since April 10.

Making his first start in 20 days due to the team's exam break and an illness, junior Marcus Johnson allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five batters in six innings pitched. The Fontana, Calif., native limited NC State to one run through six innings but left the game with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

Opposing Johnson, NC State's Logan Whitaker started on the mound for the Wolfpack and surrendered three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out eight in six innings of work.

The Wolfpack opened the scoring quick, hitting a leadoff double and an RBI single in consecutive at-bats to take an early lead, 1-0. Following the run, Johnson retired the next six batters.

Duke rallied with two outs to score twice in the bottom of the third inning and take the lead, 2-1. Mooney hit a double to left field before senior RJ Schreck, junior Chad Knight and sophomore Luke Storm tallied three consecutive singles to score the pair of runs. Schreck and Storm were credited with the RBIs.

The Blue Devils tacked on another in the bottom of the sixth inning to widen the margin, 3-1. Graduate student Trevor Johnson reached on an infield single before moving to second on a balk. Graduate student Wil Hoyle executed a sacrifice bunt to more Johnson to third before Mooney hit a two-out single to left center to score Johnson.

NC State wouldn't be counted out as it scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to capture the lead, 5-3. The Wolfpack saw five consecutive batters reach base with four hits and a walk.

Senior Jimmy Loper entered in relief for Duke and allowed one run on three hits and one walk. Loper fanned five in his three-inning outing.

Following the sixth, NC State turned to southpaw Chris Villaman to close the game. Villaman retired nine of 10 he faced over the last three innings, striking out five batters.

Duke and NC State meet again tomorrow for game two of the three-game series at Jack Coombs Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

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