Blue Devils Conclude Historic Season in Women’s College World Series

Friday, May 31

Oklahoma City, Okla.

Duke University

52-9

Alabama

39-19

Alabama

Duke

Photo by: Mario Terrana

Blue Devils Conclude Historic Season in Women’s College World Series

5/31/2024 10:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Duke Quotes vs. Alabama Post Game Press Conference Photo Gallery

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – An historic season for Duke softball came to a close on Friday evening at the Women's College World Series with a 2-1 loss to 14th-seeded Alabama at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Blue Devils set a program record with a 52-9 record and advanced to their first Women's College World Series in just the seventh season under the direction of head coach Marissa Young.

Sophomore Cassidy Curd earned her seventh start of the postseason and tossed her third complete game of the season. The Port St. Lucie, Fla., native was pinned with the loss, just her fourth of the season, after surrendering two runs off four hits in 7.0 innings of work. Curd closed the year with a 13-4 ledger.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Alabama (39-19) was quick to jump on the lead, using an error and double to push the first run across the plate in the opening frame.
Junior Ana Gold evened the score with a solo blast in the bottom of the second inning. Gold registered her second hit of the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Duke wasn't able to move her around.
Curd held off the Alabama offense over the following two frames, not allowing a runner to advance into scoring position until the top of the fifth with a triple from Kali Heivilin. The Blue Devils were able to grab the third out to end the threat.
The Crimson Tide broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth with a solo home run off the bat of Marlie Giles to pull ahead, 2-1.

NOTES

For the contest, the Blue Devils' 1-5 batters were limited to only one hit, while the 6-9 batters registered four.
Claire Davidson hit safely in 13 out of her final 14 games with her double in the first inning. It marked her team-best and school-record 20th double of the season and 36th of her career. Her 36 doubles ranked fourth on Duke's all-time charts.
With her solo shot to left center in the second inning, Ana Gold registered her ninth home run of the season and 38th of her collegiate career. Gold concluded her third season with the Blue Devils with the most home runs in Duke history (38).
Gold registered her eighth multi-hit performance of the season with her 2-for-3 performance. She now owns 32 multi-hit games over her Duke career.
Freshman Amiah Burgess laced her second hit of the WCWS in the second inning. She closed the season reaching base safely in 14 consecutive games.
Graduate student Gisele Tapia competed in her 251st all-time game, which is a Duke record. The previous mark was held by Jameson Kavel with 249.
Tapia registered her 50th hit of the 2024 campaign in the second inning. It marked her seventh hit of the postseason and first of the WCWS.
Duke finished the season with a school-record 52 wins.

QUOTES

"Obviously a really tough loss. But I am just filled with so much pride and joy, so proud of these girls, the way that they came back today and competed. I felt like the world got to see what Duke softball was about. We're a play away from still being out on the field battling with Alabama. Ana [Gold] struggled a little bit this season, so to see her come up big on the big stage, that is so special. Cassidy [Curd] threw a gem in the circle. To have her back next year, I just continue to look at how bright the future is for Duke softball. Kelly [Torres] has been just a rock for us behind the plate all year long with our battery. Really glad to see our seniors be able to accomplish their goal, which was to be here at the World Series and go out on top." -- Duke head coach Marissa Young
"Coach holding us to the same standard from day one. It's cool to come out as the most decorated class in Duke softball history. Seven years is very young for a program. This is not the last you're going to see of Duke softball." -- Duke senior Kelly Torres
"Our goal for this year was to make it to the World Series. I think especially for this senior class, they're so deserving of it. They have led our team so well. Ever since I stepped on campus, they have been there for me every step of the way. I'm so happy we could do it for them their last year. They deserve it so much." -- Duke junior Ana Gold
"I'm sure it won't hit us until we get back home to Durham, step on the field and see the Women's College World Series logo on the outside wall. We're really trying to enjoy. It's been a lot of hard work and sacrifices over the last seven years to get us to this point. I'm thankful that I feel like it's paid off in so many ways, not just getting to this point, but again, seeing the growth in the players on and off the field. It gives me a lot of joy. I'm looking forward to the future. It's been a tough road as a new program, but we're here. Just look forward to continuing to build from this." -- Duke head coach Marissa Young on looking back at the historic season

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