Mooney Walks Off No. 12 Louisville with Grand Slam

Friday, April 21

Durham, N.C.

6 PM

Duke University

25-12, 10-8

Louisville

26-11, 8-8

Louisville

Duke

Mooney Walks Off No. 12 Louisville with Grand Slam

4/21/2023 9:56:00 PM | Baseball

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DURHAM – Sophomore Alex Mooney hit a walk-off grand slam to center field to lift Duke (25-12, 10-8 ACC), 10-9, over No. 12 Louisville (26-11, 8-8 ACC) on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The walk-off home run was the first by a Blue Devil since Michael Rothenberg did so against Miami on May 27, 2021. Graduate transfer Charlie Beilenson earns the win in relief, improving to 3-2 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Louisville opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, hitting a three-run home run, 3-0.
The Cardinals added to their lead in the top of the third inning, 5-0.
Louisville tacked on another run in the top of the fourth, 6-0.
The Cardinals hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, 7-0.
Graduate student Damon Lux hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning to left field, 7-2. Graduate transfer Cole Hebble hit a two-run shot to center field, 7-4. Junior Alex Stone hit a two-run home run to right center field, 7-6.
Louisville added some insurance in the top of the seventh, 8-6.
Louisville extended their lead in the top of the eighth, 9-6.
Sophomore Alex Mooney hit a walk-off grand slam to center field, 10-9.

NOTES

Graduate Damon Lux hit his sixth home run of the season; a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Graduate transfer Cole Hebble hit his second home run of the season; a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Junior Alex Stone hit his ninth home run of the season; a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Sophomore Alex Mooney hit a walk-off grand slam to center field on Friday night, the first walk-off home run since Michael Rothenberg did so against Miami on May 27, 2021. It was Mooney's fifth home run of the season.
The Blue Devils scored all 10 runs on Friday via the home run ball.
The six run fifth inning was the first since February 25, 2023, when Duke scored six in the bottom of the eighth inning against Baylor.
Duke Baseball hit four home runs in Friday's come from behind victory over No. 12 Louisville, the most since April 14, 2023, against No. 11 Boston College.

QUOTES

"Incredible. One of the most incredible ballgames I have ever been a part of. We get punched in the mouth in the first, credit to them, they came out and put some really good swings on White. We have the injury, and the guys are on their heels. We were able to cut it down to 7-6 and then they extend it a bit with Kuehner throwing really well. We strung together three really good at bats together to get Mooney to the plate and what a special moment that was. There is nobody else on our team that deserves that moment more than he does." – Head coach Chris Pollard on the fight and grit of the Blue Devils this season.
"I just told the guys down there; you all are built different. Their fight and their resolve and care for one another. Even down seven, guys are in the game and the energy was high. When you have that level of care, you have the energy and belief to win a game like that. You aren't supposed to win a game like that in our sport. You aren't supposed to be able to come back from down 7-0. You aren't supposed to be able to score four off one of the better closers in our league in the bottom of the ninth. I am having a lot of fun watching these guys compete for each other." – On the team rallying together to get the job done on Friday night.

UP NEXT

Duke and Louisville continue the three-game set from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and is broadcasted live on ACC Network.

For more information on Duke Baseball, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeBASE".

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