Blue Devils Sweep UNC Wilmington in Doubleheader Wednesday

Wednesday, March 20

Durham, N.C.

3 p.m.

Duke University

23-2

UNC Wilmington

15-10

UNCW

Duke

Blue Devils Sweep UNC Wilmington in Doubleheader Wednesday

3/20/2024 9:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

DURHAM – Sixth-ranked Duke softball (24-2, 5-1 ACC) swept UNC Wilmington (15-11, 6-0 CAA) in a doubleheader on Wednesday at Duke Softball Stadium.

The Blue Devils defeated the Seahawks, 6-1, in the opening game before earning their 15th shutout of the season following a 7-0 victory in the nightcap.

Duke's pitching staff of graduate student Dani Drogemuller and sophomores Cassidy Curd and Sophie Garner-MacKinnon combined to surrender just four total hits during the twin bill. Drogemuller and Curd earned the wins after tossing 7.0 and 5.0 innings in game one and two, respectively. Drogemuller struck out four during the opening game, while Curd fanned eight in the second.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

UNCW plated its lone run on the day in the opening frame of game one after using an error and an infield single to bring home one run.
The Blue Devils responded in the second with four runs off two sacrifice flies and a pair of RBI-doubles to take a 4-1 lead.
Senior Francesca Frelick added to Duke's total when she sent a solo shot over the left center field to extend the Blue Devils' edge to 5-1 heading into the fifth frame.
Classmate Sarah Goddard recorded Duke's final run in the contest after opening the sixth inning with a double to center field. She advanced to third on a sacrifice fly during the ensuing at bat, before scoring on a wild pitch to round out the Blue Devils' six runs.
UNCW had a runner on first with one out in the top of the seventh, but Duke turned a double play to seal the 6-1 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

Junior Ana Gold brought in Duke's first two runs in the nightcap with a two-RBI triple in the bottom of the third. Her knock scored Gisele Tapia and D'Auna Jennings, who reached on a single and walk, respectively.
Senior Claire Davidson then brought Gold home during the ensuing at bat after she sent an RBI-double deep into center field.
Davidson followed suit and touched home plate after Duke's third-straight hit this time from sophomore Aminah Vega. Davidson advanced to third on the single before eventually reaching home on a Seahawks' throwing error.
The Blue Devils added another run in the fourth after Goddard scored on a bases loaded passed ball to create a 5-0 gap between the teams.
Duke extended its lead to 7-0 in the fifth after Goddard registered a two-out single to score Frelick from third. The Lexington, Mass., native recorded a walk before advancing to third on a Kelly Torres double.
UNCW attempted to spark a rally in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but the Blue Devils' defense turned another game-ending double play to secure the shutout.

NOTES

Duke's 15 shutouts on the year sit tied for second nationally with No. 1 Oklahoma and the pair trail No. 10 Florida, who leads the nation with 16.
Drogemuller tossed the 26th complete game of her career, surrendering one unearned run off two hits with four strikeouts.
Frelick tallied her third home run of the season and 12th long ball of her career.
The Blue Devils' pitching staff continues to dominate in the circle, relinquishing just one unearned run in the twin bill.
Frelick, Goddard and Gold each finished the doubleheader with a team-high two RBI.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils hit the road this weekend when they travel to Louisville, Ky., to face Louisville in a three-game conference series at Ulmer Stadium. Friday's opener is set for 6 p.m.

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

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