Seventh-Inning Rally Lifts No. 6 Duke Past Louisville, 3-2, in Series Opener

Friday, March 22

Louisville, Ky.

6 p.m.

Duke University

25-2, 0

Louisville

19-11, 0

Duke

Louisville

Seventh-Inning Rally Lifts No. 6 Duke Past Louisville, 3-2, in Series Opener

3/22/2024 11:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sixth-ranked Duke (25-2, 6-1 ACC) defeated Louisville (19-11, 0-4 ACC), 3-2, in the series-opening game at Ulmer Stadium on Friday night.

Senior Francesca Frelick provided the winning blow in the top of the seventh with a two-RBI single, as the Blue Devils rallied from a 2-0 deficit entering the final frame. Frelick finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.

Seniors Jala Wright and Lillie Walker saw action in the circle during the contest. Wright earned the start, fanning nine in her 5.1 innings of work, while Walker picked up the win after tossing 1.2 innings of relief.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Louisville opened the scoring in the bottom of the first using a lead-off walk and double to center field to plate the first run.
The Blue Devils had an opportunity in the top of the fifth after loading the bases on a pair of infield singles and a walk but couldn't push a run across.
The Cardinals added another run in the bottom of the sixth to pull ahead, 2-0.
Senior Claire Davidson sparked the seventh-inning rally, sending a double down the left field line to score junior Kelsey Zampa and cut the gap to one. Zampa was pinch running for graduate student Gisele Tapia, who drew a lead-off walk.
A few batters later, Frelick continued the two-out rally after dropping a base hit into left field to score Davidson and sophomore D'Auna Jennings for the go-ahead runs.
Louisville opened the home half with a double to right center field before Walker sat down the final three batters to seal the victory.

NOTES

Walker owns a 0.71 ERA and improved to 5-0 on the season.
Frelick tallied her seventh multi-RBI game of the year.
Wright earned her 55th career start in the circle, surrendering two runs off four hits with nine strikeouts.
Davidson has now reached base in 17-straight contests after recording a double in the seventh inning.

UP NEXT
Duke and Louisville continue their three-game conference series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch set for 12 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast on ACC Network.

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