Duke’s Combined No-Hitter Highlights DH Sweep of Charleston Southern

Wednesday, February 22

Durham, N.C.

3 p.m.

Duke University

8-3

Charleston Southern

4-3

Charleston Southern

Duke

Duke’s Combined No-Hitter Highlights DH Sweep of Charleston Southern

2/22/2023 11:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DURHAM - No. 14 Duke softball recorded a combined no-hitter on Wednesday night to complete the sweep of Charleston Southern during its home-opening doubleheader at Duke Softball Stadium.

The Blue Devils (9-3) defeated the Buccaneers (4-4) 9-1 in five innings during the first game before recording an 8-0 six-inning victory in the second.

During the nightcap, juniors Lillie Walker and Jala Wright pitched the second combined no-hitter in program history after the pair allowed just four runners to reach base on three walks and an error. The other combined no-hitter came in an effort from Shelby Walters and Claire Davidson against NC State on May 7, 2021.

Sophomore Ana Gold capped the night with a three-run homerun over the centerfield fence for the walk-off win in six innings.

In the opening game, Davidson led the offense with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the fourth to ultimately put the game out of reach.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame after capitalizing on a Bucs' error that scored senior Gisele Tapia and freshman D'Auna Jennings.
Freshman Aminah Vega followed with an RBI-single to bring home another run and extend the Blue Devils' edge to 3-0.
Charleston Southern posted its lone run of the game in the top of the third after Raleigh Lewis registered an RBI-single through the left side.
The Blue Devils countered with six additional runs in the bottom of the third and fourth, highlighted by Davidson's three-run homerun, to ultimately secure the 9-1 five-inning victory.
Freshman Sophie-Garner MacKinnon earned her first career start in the circle and picked up her first career win after allowing just one earned run on four hits with two strikeouts in 3.0 innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

Just like in game one, the Blue Devils took an early lead in the bottom of the first and never really looked back.
Junior Kelly Torres put the first run on the board with a sacrifice fly to score Gold, who had singled to begin the game.
After a scoreless second frame, Duke strung together seven consecutive runs over the next four innings to pick up its second run-rule victory. Home runs by freshman Kairi Rodriguez, Torres and Gold highlighted the Blue Devils' rally.

NOTES

The Blue Devils have now recorded four total no-hitters in program history, including its second combined no-hitter (Walters in 2021, Walters and Davidson in 2021, Wright in 2022, and Walker and Wright in 2023).
Duke is 49-3 in run rule games, including a 32-1 record at home.
Gold finished the night batting 3-for-6 with one home run, one double and three RBI.
Wright struck out two in her 2.0 innings of relief work and is now two away from reaching 150 career strikeouts.

QUOTES

"Our pitchers have been challenged tremendously the first two weeks of the season. To come home and be able to play in this environment and combine for a shutout and a no-hitter is really exciting. I asked them for a shutout today, but I wasn't expecting the no-hitter. I actually didn't know until the game was over, so it's probably good that way. I'm really proud of Lillie (Walker) to come in and contribute in both games and for Jala (Wright) to close the door." – Duke Head Coach Marissa Young

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils have a quick turnaround as they travel to Buies Creek, N.C., to compete in the Camel Stampede Invitational beginning Friday. Duke will face Rider, Wagner, Ohio and the host team Campbell during the three-day tournament.

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

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