Home Runs Spark Series Sweep of North Carolina

Sunday, April 7

Durham, N.C.

7 p.m.

Duke University

33-3, 0

North Carolina

24-13, 0

UNC

Duke

Home Runs Spark Series Sweep of North Carolina

4/7/2024 11:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM – Three home runs, including two off the bat of senior Claire Davidson, highlighted Duke's 6-1 victory and a series sweep over North Carolina on Sunday night at Duke Softball Stadium.

The Blue Devils (33-3, 13-2 ACC) remain unbeaten at home with a 20-0 record and have now swept three of their opening five ACC series'. North Carolina drops to 24-13 overall and 6-9 in conference play.

Davidson finished her impressive showing at the plate going 2-or-3 with four RBI, two runs scored and one walk. Sophomore Aminah Vega recorded Duke's third long ball in the game, while senior Kelly Torres added two hits.

Senior pitcher Lillie Walker tallied her eighth win of the season after coming in for relief of starter Dani Drogemuller. Walker allowed just one hit in her 2.1 innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Davidson put the Blue Devils on the board early with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning.
She added her second long ball in the fourth frame when she went yard over the right center fence to score graduate student Gisele Tapia and redshirt sophomore Jada Baker, who had reached on a fielder's choice and walk earlier in the inning.
Vega followed suit during the ensuing at bat when she notched her ninth home run of the season over the right field wall to create a 5-0 gap between the teams.
The Tar Heels earned one run back in the fifth after Destiny Middleton sent a bases loaded two-out single through the left side, but Walker came in to fan the final batter of the inning and halt North Carolina's rally.
Duke added one last run in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly from junior Ana Gold to score sophomore Aleyah Terrell, who came in to pinch run for Tapia.

NOTES

The Blue Devils improve their winning streak to eight consecutive games.
Davidson posted her first multi-home run game of the season and now has 13 on the year.
After recording one strikeout on Sunday, Walker now has 28 to her ledger this year.
Drogemuller made her seventh start of the season, scattering six hits and one walk in 3.1 innings of work.
Senior Jala Wright also saw time in the circle, allowing three hits, two walks and one earned run in 1.1 innings of work. The Charlotte, N.C., native also fanned a team-high three during her time in the circle.

UP NEXT
Duke is back in action Tuesday when it travels to Greenville, N.C., for a non-conference matchup with East Carolina. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.

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