Duke Stays Alive, Knocks Oral Roberts Out of Norman Regional

Saturday, June 1

Norman, Okla.

3 p.m.

Duke University

40-19

Oral Roberts

27-32-1

Duke

Oral Roberts

Duke Stays Alive, Knocks Oral Roberts Out of Norman Regional

6/1/2024 9:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)

NORMAN, Okla. – Duke (40-19) baseball kept their postseason hopes alive on Saturday afternoon from L. Dale Mitchell Park, defeating Oral Roberts (27-32-1), 6-2, in the first elimination game of the regional. The Blue Devils collected their 40th win of the season, the second time in program history hitting that mark, both coming with head coach Chris Pollard at the helm.

Junior Devin Obee continued his hot streak over the past few weeks, opening the scoring for the Blue Devils in the top of the fourth inning, singling to center field to score Alex Stone from second base, 1-0. In the top of the sixth inning, Chase Krewson doubled down the line in left field to score Stone from third to double the lead, before Wallace Clark doubled to left center field to score Krewson from third.

Later in the sixth inning, Jimmy Evans hit a two-run home run to right field to push the lead to 5-0. In the bottom half of the inning, Oral Roberts hit a solo home run to cut into the Duke lead. The Blue Devils added a run in the top of the eighth inning, as Obee hit a solo home run to right center field, his 16th of the season.

Junior Jonathan Santucci made his first start in nearly a month on Saturday, working two innings with one hit allowed. Santucci passed off the ball to sophomore James Tallon who worked a clean inning, before freshman Kyle Johnson covered three innings in his first action in over a week. Johnson punched out three batters and allowed one run, before Tim Noone and Charlie Beilenson closed out the final three frames to end the ballgame.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Devin Obee singled to center field to score Alex Stone from second in the top of the fourth inning, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth inning, Chase Krewson doubled down the line in left to score Stone from third. Wallace Clark doubled to left center field to score Krewson from third. Jimmy Evans hit a two-run home run to right field, 5-0.
Oral Roberts cut into the Duke lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, 5-1.
In the top of the eighth inning, Obee hit a solo home run to right center field, 6-1.
The Golden Eagles cut into the Blue Devils lead in the bottom of the eighth, 6-2.

NOTES

For the second time in program history, both under head coach Chris Pollard, Duke has eclipsed the 40-win mark on the year. It marks the first time since 2018, when the Blue Devils set the program record with 45 wins.
Graduate Jimmy Evans made his first start of the season on Saturday, finishing the day 1-for-4 with his first home run in a Blue Devils' uniform.
Duke improved to 197-64 (.755) when scoring first and 216-47 (.821) when scoring three-plus runs in an inning since 2016.
Graduate Zac Morris collected a three-hit day on Saturday with a triple. Morris has now tied Ben Miller for the team lead with his 24th multi-hit contest and his second three-hit day.
Senior Alex Stone produced a two-hit day at the plate, collecting his 23rd multi-hit contest of the season.
Junior Devin Obee finished the day 2-for-4 with a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning for the Blue Devils. It was Obee's 16th of the season and was the 19th multi-hit contest of the season.
Junior Jonathan Santucci returned to the mound for the first time in over four weeks, working two innings and allowing one hit in his controlled start.
Freshman Kyle Johnson gave the bullpen some length on Saturday, working three innings with two hits and one run allowed. Johnson added three strikeouts to his line in his return to the mound after a week off.

QUOTES

"First and foremost, congratulations to coach Folmar and Oral Roberts on another great year. To be back in the NCAA Tournament, a year after taking his team to Omaha as a mid-major, that is an incredible job, and they do things the right way. I told him before the game, I have been looking forward to competing against him because I have followed what he has done from a distance, and it is so impressive." – Head coach Chris Pollard's opening statement following Duke's elimination game victory over Oral Roberts.
"It is very fitting that these three guys are up here beside me, because they have all meant so much to this program. I want to start off with Jonathan Santucci. We were getting ready to play Georgia Tech almost three weeks ago now and Friday night we are a few minutes before the game before our pitching coach Brady Kirkpatrick comes down and says Jonathan has had a rib issue. Then from there we found out that he was going to be out. Nobody understands how hard he has worked to get back for this moment. Jonathan is going to be a first-round draft pick here in July. So many guys in his position, and I couldn't have faulted him if he had chosen to do this, but many of these guys in his position would have said I have had a great year, I was a first team All-ACC player, I am going to shut it down and get ready for the draft. He cares so much about this program. It was hours of physical therapy, and it is pretty grueling to be honest with you to get back to this point. The performance was great, but what that meant for our team that he demonstrated how much he wanted to be back and take the baseball." – On the battles that Jonathan Santucci has overcome to be pitching in the postseason for the first time in his career.
"What can you say about Kyle Johnson. He is the best two-way player in the country. He is certainly one of the most talented freshmen who is having an unbelievable year. He didn't have a chance to throw in the ACC Tournament, so he was working off a week of rust, but to come in in that spot and be that electric was incredible. We had talked this morning about being able to double up our pick moves and inside moves to second base, and he executed that to perfection with the tying run at second base. Just tremendous maturity and competitive makeup by him. Guys will tell you to a man that he is absolutely one of the best competitors around and he showed it today." – On the maturity and growth of Kyle Johnson this season.
"Lastly, Jimmy Evans. He has been such an unsung hero for this season. He came in during the ACC semifinals last week off the bench and scored the tying run and then comes up with a home run today. I think guys on our bus would tell you, if there is anyone that deserves that moment it would be him." – On the moment Jimmy Evans hit his home run today.

UP NEXT

Duke will face the loser of the Oklahoma and UConn game this evening. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from L. Dale Mitchell Park.

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