No. 6 Duke Falls, 2-1, to Louisville Saturday

Saturday, March 23

Louisville, Ky.

1 p.m.

Duke University

25-3, 0

Louisville

20-11, 0

Duke

Louisville

No. 6 Duke Falls, 2-1, to Louisville Saturday

3/23/2024 5:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sixth-ranked Duke fell to Louisville, 2-1, in the second game of the conference series at Ulmer Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cardinals (20-11, 1-4) handed the Blue Devils (25-3, 6-2 ACC) their third loss of the season after sending a walk-off home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Despite the loss, sophomore Cassidy Curd and senior Lillie Walker were strong in the circle. Curd earned the start and allowed one run, a solo home run, while scattering five hits in her 7.0 innings of work. The Port St. Lucie, Fla., native also matched her season high with 10 strikeouts during the contest. Walker was pinned with the loss after entering in the eighth inning and surrendering the game-winning home run.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sophomore Aminah Vega opened the scoring in the top of the fourth with an RBI-double to left field to bring in senior Claire Davidson. Davidson reached on a lead-off walk, before moving up on a stolen base.
Louisville responded in the home half with a solo home run off the bat of Gabby Holloway to tie the game, 1-1.
The Blue Devils sparked a two-out rally in the top of the seventh with back-to-back base hits but were unable to push the go-ahead run across.
Curd retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
Vega and Davidson drew back-to-back walks to open the eighth, but were left stranded as the Cardinals used a groundout and pair of foul outs to end the inning.
Walker took over to face the final two batters, sitting down the first, before Louisville's Katie Thatcher sent a solo blast out of right field to walk it off, 2-1.

NOTES

Duke is now 13-11 all-time in extra-inning games, including 1-1 this season.
Walker was pinned with her first loss of the season and moves her ledger to 5-1 on the year.
Vega tallied her 26th RBI of the season.
Davidson has now reached base in 18-straight contests, after recording a double in the first inning.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils and Cardinals conclude the three-game set Sunday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium. First pitch is slated for 12 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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