Metz's Historic Day Lifts Duke to 12-3 Victory Over UNCW

Friday, June 2

Conway, S.C.

1 PM

Duke University

36-21

UNCW

34-22

UNCW

Duke

Metz's Historic Day Lifts Duke to 12-3 Victory Over UNCW

6/2/2023 5:18:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

CONWAY, S.C. – Graduate transfer MJ Metz hit three home runs on Friday afternoon in back-to-back-to-back plate appearances, as the Duke (36-21) defeated UNCW (34-22) to advance to the winner's bracket, 12-3.

The three-home run performance was the first by a Blue Devil since June 5, 2021 in the Knoxville Regional, when RJ Schreck hit tallied three against Wright State. Graduate transfer Charlie Beilenson worked 2.2 innings of no-hit relief, striking out four batters to pick up his fifth win of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UNCW opened the scoring in the top of the first, 1-0.
The Seahawks added another run in the top of the second, 2-0.
Freshman Andrew Fischer doubled to right center field in the bottom of the third, scoring Alex Mooney from second, 2-1.
Graduate transfer MJ Metz hit a solo home run to right center field in the bottom of the fourth, 2-2. Graduate student Damon Lux hit a two-run home run to left center field, 4-2.
UNCW cut the Duke lead to one in the top of the fifth, 4-3.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Metz hit a two-run home run to right center field, 6-3.
Junior Jay Beshears hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, 7-3. Metz hit a two-run home run to left field, 9-3. Junior Luke Storm hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Giovanni DiGiacomo, 10-3. Lux doubled to left field to score Tyler Albright from second, 11-3. Lux scored on a double steal to increase the lead, 12-3.

NOTES

Graduate transfer MJ Metz tallied three home runs on Friday afternoon in Conway, marking the first three home run performance since June 5, 2021, in the Knoxville Regional by RJ Schreck.
The Blue Devils improved to 11-9 under head coach Chris Pollard in regional play, defeating UNCW 12-3.
When hitting five or more home runs this season, Duke improved to 4-0 on Friday.
Graduate student Damon Lux hit his eighth home run of the season on Friday, a two-run shot to left center field.
The Blue Devils tied a season high with six stolen bases on Friday, matching the mark set against Baylor earlier this season.

QUOTES

"It is fitting that these two guys are sitting up here with me, because there is no way we are here without MJ and Charlie this season. Both of these guys have had fantastic years and unbelievably tough. They are the emotional leaders in the clubhouse and selfless teammates." – Head coach Chris Pollard on the love for the two graduate transfers.
"We wanted to force the issue in the run game today and we did that. We also felt like if we were selective at the plate, this ballpark would play to our strengths, and it did. Our guys did a great job of hunting their pitches today." – On the ability to find a pitch to drive out of the yard today.
"I thought it was huge by Alex Gow to get us into the fifth inning today. They were taking great swings early in the game. They had three extra base hits through the first two innings and to settle in and get us two clean innings and open the fifth was a fantastic job. Charlie came in and as our offense started to produce, Charlie went out there and calmed the storm." – On the job the pitching staff did this afternoon.

UP NEXT

Duke advances to the winner's bracket in the Conway Regional on Saturday evening. The Blue Devils await the winner of Coastal Carolina and Rider on Friday at Springs Brooks Stadium.

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