Higgins Tosses Gem, Fischer Delivers Knockout Blow to Win Series Over No. 11 Boston College

Sunday, April 16

Chestnut Hill, MA

1 PM

Duke University

23-12, 9-8

Boston College

24-11, 9-9

Duke

Boston College

Higgins Tosses Gem, Fischer Delivers Knockout Blow to Win Series Over No. 11 Boston College

4/16/2023 9:28:00 PM | Baseball

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BRIGHTON, Mass. – Sophomore Ryan Higgins tossed five innings of one-hit baseball on Sunday, to clinch the series over No. 11 Boston College (24-11, 9-9 ACC), as Duke Baseball (23-12, 9-8 ACC) defeated the Eagles 6-2, at the Harrington Athletics Village.

The Blue Devils entered the ninth inning leading 3-2, before freshman Andrew Fischer collected his ninth home run of the season with two outs in the frame. His three-run blast gave Duke a four-run cushion, as Freshman James Tallon finished the ballgame with a two inning save to earn his eighth of the season.

Sunday's win clinched the first ranked series win on the road for the Blue Devils since 2018 when they beat No. 12 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the top of the first, junior Alex Stone grounded out to third base to score Alex Mooney, 1-0.
Graduate Damon Lux stole second base and advanced on an error by the catcher to score Luke Storm from third, 2-0. Graduate transfer Giovanni DiGiacomo singled to left field to score Lux from third, in the top of the fourth, 3-0.
Boston College cut into the Blue Devils' lead in the bottom of the sixth, 3-1.
The Eagles cut the lead to one in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to left field, 3-2.
Freshman Andrew Fischer hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to extend the Blue Devils' lead, 6-2.

NOTES

Sophomore Ryan Higgins worked a career high five innings on Sunday afternoon, allowing one hit and striking out three. Higgins improved to 3-0 on the season with the win Sunday.
Junior Alex Stone extended his longest hitting streak of the season to nine games against Boston College, recording a single in the eighth inning.
Sophomore Alex Mooney tallied his 13th multi-hit contest of the season, the most by a Duke player in 2023.
Freshman Andrew Fischer iced the ballgame in the top of the ninth inning, hitting his ninth home run of the season, extending his freshman home run record. Fischer's three-run shot gave the Blue Devils a 6-2 lead, heading to the bottom half.
Freshman James Tallon tallied his eighth save of the season, working two innings and not allowing a hit. Tallon now moves into a tie for 8th all-time in a single season with Andrew Istler, Alex Hassan, Vaughn Schill and Mike Kotarski. His eight career saves are tied for 15th all-time with David Putman.
The road series win over No. 11 Boston College was the first for the Blue Devils since 2018, where they defeated No. 12 Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.

QUOTES

"Unbelievable job by Higgins today. I think it was a career high in innings today and he was in complete control from the very first pitch. He had everything working. The high ride was working on the fastball, so it was above the barrel. When he didn't get the swing and miss, he was getting fly balls. What is great to see in his development is he is now featuring a changeup and is getting swing and miss with that. He was efficient and got us through five. I can't say enough good things about the start." – Head coach Chris Pollard on the start Ryan Higgins gave Sunday.
"We have had some really good players come through this program and he is as advanced in his to this point. It is pretty special what he is doing and that was as big a swing as we have had all year." – On the at bat Andrew Fischer had in the ninth inning to give Duke insurance runs.
"It's just special. You talk about some young guys that just do special things right now. They are so good and make it look so easy, that you almost expect them to succeed. We have to step back and realize how impressive what they are doing is because it is unique. To cover those last two innings in that dominate of fashion is really impressive." – On the job James Tallon has done as the closer this season.

UP NEXT

Duke Baseball returns home to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to host William & Mary for a midweek contest. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and is broadcasted live on ACC Network Extra.

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