Duke Claims 2024 ACC Softball Championship

Saturday, May 11

Durham, N.C.

2:30 p.m.

Duke University

47-6

Florida State

43-14

Florida State

Duke

2024 Softball ACC Championship team photo

Duke Claims 2024 ACC Softball Championship

5/11/2024 8:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM – For the second time in program history, Duke claimed the ACC Softball Championship title after defeating second-seeded Florida State, 6-3, on Saturday afternoon behind a sold-out crowd at Duke Softball Stadium.

In addition to the win, four Blue Devils brought home individual hardware after being named to the ACC All-Tournament team. Seniors Claire Davidson and Jala Wright, junior Ana Gold and sophomore Aminah Vega were all honored, increasing Duke's all-time All-Tournament team selections to 11. Wright was also selected as the ACC Tournament MVP and joins Peyton St. George as the only Blue Devils to receive the honor.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first three frames were a pitcher's duel between Wright and Florida State's Allison Royalty as the pair combined to allow just one hit and three total base runners during that stretch.
The Seminoles broke through in the top of the fourth using a two-run home run by Kalei Harding and an RBI-double by Michaela Edenfield to pull ahead, 3-0.
The Blue Devils quickly answered in the bottom half of the frame when Gold converted on a one-out sacrifice fly to center field to score Davidson from third. Senior Kelly Torres then followed that with an RBI-single during the ensuing at bat to bring in sophomore Aleyah Terrell, who was pinch running for Vega, to cut the Seminoles' lead to 3-2. Davidson and Vega led off the frame with back-to-back singles to begin Duke's rally.
It remained a one-run game until the bottom of the sixth when Gold again sparked the Blue Devil offense. With runners on first and second with one out, the Ballston Spa, N.Y., native singled to center field to score the game-tying run. Two batters later, freshman Amiah Burgess touched home on a throwing error to give Duke its first lead of the game at 4-3. The Blue Devils weren't done though, as graduate student Gisele Tapia's two-out, two-RBI single into left field capped the four-run frame and handed Duke a 6-3 edge.
Sophomore Cassidy Curd, who entered the game for Duke in the top of the fourth, closed the door on the Seminoles, retiring three of the final four batters she faced to secure the Blue Devils second conference crown.

NOTES

Duke is now 9-4 all-time in the ACC Tournament and earned its second league title after also winning the tournament in 2021.
Saturday's game marked the Blue Devils' third appearance in the ACC Championship game, including their second consecutive appearance.
Curd earned the win inside the circle, working 4.0 scoreless innings of relief and fanning three.
The Port St. Lucie, Fla., native improves her season ledger to 10-3.
Wright earned her 28th start in the circle and tossed 3.0 innings, allowing three runs off four hits with two strikeouts.
Gold tallied her ninth multi-RBI game of the year.

UP NEXT
Duke now turns its attention to the 2024 NCAA Softball Championship selection show on Sunday at 7 p.m. The event will be broadcast on ESPN2.

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

#GoDuke