Pollard Earns Career Win No. 750, No. 7 Duke Sweeps Double Header

Saturday, April 13

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Noon

Duke University

Pittsburgh

Pollard Earns Career Win No. 750, No. 7 Duke Sweeps Double Header

4/13/2024 8:22:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score Game One (PDF)Postgame Notes Game One (PDF)Box Score Game Two (PDF)Postgame Notes Game Two (PDF)Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – No. 7 Duke (26-9, 11-6 ACC) used a run-rule victory and its fourth come from behind victory in six games to sweep the double header against Pittsburgh (13-18, 3-14 ACC) on Saturday, earning their third consecutive ACC series victory and head coach Chris Pollard's 750th career victory.

In game one of the double header, Duke used 16 hits and two home runs to run rule the Panthers and open the series in the winning column. Junior Jonathan Santucci worked four innings, allowing one earned run and punching out eight batters, before Gabriel Nard worked the final three frames to earn his second victory of the season.

Duke jumped out to a 10-1 lead on the Panthers, before scoring three runs in the top of the fifth and one run in the top of the seventh to claim victory.

In game two, Pitt jumped on the Blue Devils earn, scoring two runs off freshman Kyle Johnson in the opening frame. They added a third run in the top of the second, chasing Johnson off, before Jimmy Romano ended the frame. Romano, along with Owen Proksch, Fran Oschell III and Charlie Beilenson combined to toss 6.2 innings of one-hit baseball to allow the Duke offense to chip away.

In the top of the sixth inning, Logan Bravo hit a two-run home run to right field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Graduate Zac Morris tied the ballgame in the top of the eighth inning with his 10th home run of the year to right center field. In the top of the ninth, Bravo doubled down the line in left and was moved to third by Wallace Clark's sacrifice bunt. Devin Obee flew out to deep center field to score the eventual game winning run to complete the double header sweep.

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE

In the top of the second inning, Tyler Albright singled through the right side to score Devin Obee from third. Zac Morris tripled to right center field to score a pair, 3-0.
Pitt cut into the lead in the bottom of the second, 3-1.
Alex Stone hit a solo home run to left field in the top of the third inning. Logan Bravo hit a solo home run to right field. Albright singled to left field to score Obee from second. Wallace Clark scored on a throwing error by the first baseman. AJ Gracia reached on an error in center field to score two more. Stone doubled down the line in right to score Gracia from third, 10-1.
The Panthers cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth, 10-4.
In the top of the fifth inning, Stone doubled down the line in left to score Harrison Rodgers and Morris from second. Chase Krewson drew a bases loaded walk to score Gracia from third, 13-4.
In the top of the seventh, Clark singled to center field to score Krewson from third, 14-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO

Pitt opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, 2-0.
The Panthers extended their lead in the bottom of the second, 3-0.
Logan Bravo hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, 3-2.
Zac Morris hit a solo home run to right center field in the top of the eighth, 3-3.
Devin Obee hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Bravo from third, 4-3.

NOTES

Graduate Harrison Rodgers made his first start in the field in game one, tallying a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored.
The Blue Devils improved to 189-61 (.756) when scoring first since 2016 and 205-42 (.830) when scoring three-plus runs in an inning.
Senior Alex Stone and Logan Bravo hit back-to-back home runs in game one of the double header, marking the first time that feat had been accomplished since March 1, against Akron.
Duke scored seven runs in the third inning, batting around for the 14th time this season. The seven runs scored in the third inning marked the first time scoring seven-plus runs in an inning since March 24 against NC State.
The Blue Devils improved to 11-0 and 4-0 in the ACC when scoring 10-plus runs in a contest this season.
Stone collected his first four-hit day of the season, finishing game one 4-for-5 with four RBI. It is the 11th multi-hit contest of the season for the catcher.
Bravo tallied his eighth home run of the season in game two, a two-run shot to cut the Pitt lead to one in the top of the sixth inning.
Graduate Zac Morris became the first Blue Devil in double digits for home runs this season, tying the ballgame on his solo shot to right center field in the top of the eighth inning. The 10 home runs tie a career high for Morris.
Junior Devin Obee drove in the game winning RBI, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field to score Bravo from third in the top of the ninth inning.
Graduate Charlie Beilenson earned his third consecutive victory out of the bullpen, improving to 3-2 on the season in game two. Beilenson worked two no-hit innings and struck out four batters.
Duke's bullpen arms consisting of Jimmy Romano, Owen Proksch, Fran Oschell III and Beilenson, combined to toss 6.2 innings of one-hit baseball to lock down the Pitt offense.

QUOTES

"I am just really proud of our team. We came out in the first game and took advantage of some of their mistakes and turned it into big innings. I told our team coming out of game one, was that every time they scored, we had a bigger response. It was a great job by Gabriel Nard to come in and cover the rest of that game to keep our bullpen fresh. It was a terrific effort by our bullpen in the second game. We get down 3-0 and have a lot of momentum. The job by Romano, Proksch, Oschell and Charlie at the end to give our offense a chance. We were very tough against one of the best arms in the league and I thought it was a really gritty effort by our team in the second game." – Head coach Chris Pollard on his overall thoughts about sweeping the double header on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Duke and Pitt conclude the three-game series on Sunday afternoon from Charles L. Cost Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu

#GoDuke