No. 6 Duke Salvages Series Finale in Run-Rule Victory Over No. 10 Florida State

Sunday, April 28

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

30-14, 14-10

Florida State

34-9, 13-8

Florida State

Duke

No. 6 Duke Salvages Series Finale in Run-Rule Victory Over No. 10 Florida State

4/28/2024 5:02:00 PM | Baseball

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DURHAM – Fueled by a 10-run second inning, No. 6 Duke (30-14, 14-10 ACC) salvaged the series finale over No. 10 Florida State (34-9, 13-8 ACC), 16-4, on Sunday at Jack Coombs Field. The victory over the Seminoles was Duke's ninth top-25 win this season and sixth against a top-10 opponent.

Florida State jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, scoring two runs off starter Ryan Higgins. In the bottom of the first, Alex Stone scored Zac Morris from third on a fielder's choice, before Logan Bravo tied the game at two with a single to left field. Higgins settled in on the mound, striking out a pair on his way to retiring the side.

In the second, Morris started the hit parade with a single up the middle to score Kyle Johnson from second. AJ Gracia broke the single season freshman RBI record with a single up the middle to score fellow freshman Chase Krewson from third. Bravo tallied two more RBI in the frame, doubling to right center.

Johnson, Krewson and Morris added to the bottom half hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs to push the Duke lead to 12-2. The three consecutive home runs allowed were the first by the Seminoles since 2005.

Left-hander James Tallon came on in relief of Higgins in the fourth, working two scoreless frames and allowing one hit. He punched out three batters, earning his first win of the season. Charlie Beilenson relieved Tallon in the fifth, working a pair of hitless innings with three punchouts to close out the ballgame.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Florida State opened the scoring in the top of the first, 2-0.
In the bottom of the first inning, Alex Stone reached on a fielder's choice to score Zac Morris from third. Logan Bravo singled to left field to score Ben Miller from third, 2-2.
Morris singled up the middle to score Kyle Johnson from second in the bottom of the second. AJ Gracia singled up the middle to score Chase Krewson from third. Morris scored on a wild pitch. Bravo doubled to the gap in right center to score a pair. Johnson, Krewson and Morris went back-to-back-to-back to push the lead to 12-2.
The Seminoles cut into the Blue Devils lead in the top of the third, 12-4.
Gracia flew out to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning to score Johnson from third. Stone doubled to right center scoring a pair, 15-4.
Bravo doubled to left center scoring Miller from first in the bottom of the sixth inning, 16-4.

NOTES

Freshman AJ Gracia finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring one run and driving in a pair of Blue Devils for his 44th and 45th RBI of the season. With his two RBI today, Gracia breaks Joey Loperfido's freshman RBI record of 43 set in 2018.
Duke batted around for the 15th time this season in the second inning on Sunday, scoring 10 runs to blow open the contest. It marks the first time since batting around in game one of the double header at Pitt and the first 10-run inning since Appalachian State earlier this season.
Freshman Kyle Johnson finished the day 1-for-2 at the plate with three runs scored, three RBI and two walks. Johnson's lone hit was a three-run home run in the second inning, his first home run at Jack Coombs Field and second of the season.
Johnson, Chase Krewson and Zac Morris, tallied back-to-back-to-back home runs on Sunday in the second inning. It was the first time Florida State had allowed three consecutive home runs since 2005.
The Blue Devils improved to 208-44 (.825) when scoring three-plus runs in an inning since 2016.
Junior Ryan Higgins started on the mound for the Blue Devils, working three innings and tying a career high of six strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.
Sunday's victory over No. 10 Florida State marked the ninth top-25 win for the Blue Devils this season and sixth against a top-10 opponent.
Graduate Logan Bravo posted a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate, adding a walk to his line as well. Bravo scored one run and drove in four RBI in the victory.
The win on Sunday halted a season-long three game losing streak for the Blue Devils heading into the exam break.

QUOTES

"I thought it was a great response by our team. I just told them in the huddle, we have only had two times all year where we've had our backs against the wall on the verge of being swept. In both those situations we have run-ruled a top-25 team. It just shows the grit and determination and what these guys are made of when you put their backs against the wall. We have been in spots this season where we weren't playing great then all of the sudden the opponent scores first, but we have been really good about having an answer." – Head coach Chris Pollard on his overall thoughts on Sunday's game.

UP NEXT

Duke heads for the exam break this week, returning to action on Sunday against Longwood. First pitch for game one of the double header is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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