No. 2 Duke Captures 100th ACC Win After Defeating North Carolina, 6-4

Friday, April 5

Durham, N.C.

6 p.m.

Duke University

31-3, 0

North Carolina

24-11, 0

UNC

Duke

No. 2 Duke Captures 100th ACC Win After Defeating North Carolina, 6-4

4/5/2024 11:21:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM – Second-ranked Duke defeated North Carolina, 6-4, on Friday night at Duke Softball Stadium to capture the program's 100th ACC victory.

With the win, the Blue Devils improve to 11-2 in conference play this season and 31-3 overall, including an 18-0 mark at home. North Carolina drops to 24-11 overall and 6-7 in ACC play.

A trio of Blue Devils finished 2-for-3 at the plate in seniors Claire Davidson and Francesca Frelick as well as sophomore D'Auna Jennings. Davidson and Frelick also combined to drive in three of Duke's six runs.

Senior Jala Wright earned the start and the win inside the circle, allowing just two earned runs across six hits in her 5.2 innings of work. Wright fanned seven during the contest to reach the 350-career strikeout milestone.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sophomore Aminah Vega sparked Duke's offense in the bottom of the third with an RBI single to left center. Her knock scored classmate Aleyah Terrell, who was pinch running for graduate student Gisele Tapia who reached on a fielder's choice.
Two batters later, senior Kelly Torres sent a two-RBI single to left field to increase the Blue Devils' advantage to 3-0.
North Carolina cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth, using a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to plate two runs and make it one run ballgame at 3-2.
In the bottom half of the frame, Frelick registered a two-out solo home run to extend the Blue Devils advantage to 4-2.
Davidson added in a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out, two-run shot over the right field fence to make it 6-2 Blue Devils' lead.
The Tar Heels would not go down easily though, as they scored two runs off a home run to left field to cut the edge down to 6-4. Fortunately, senior Lillie Walker was able to record the final out of the frame during the ensuing at bat to secure the win.

NOTES

The Blue Devils are now 100-46 (.685) all-time in ACC play.
Wright improved her season ledger to 12-0 after 17 appearances in the circle.
Walker picked up her second save of the season after coming in for relief of Wright and retiring four of the final six batters she faced.
Davidson has now homered in four of her last five games, including three straight contests.
The Lakewood Ranch, Fla., native has also successfully reached base in 24 consecutive games.
Torres tallied her fourth multi-RBI night on the year after finishing with two on Friday.
Tapia made her 200th career start in the game.

UP NEXT
Duke and North Carolina continue their three-game conference series on Saturday afternoon with game two. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Duke Softball Stadium.

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

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

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