No. 20 Duke Storms Past Pitt, 11-3, in Series Finale

Sunday, April 13

Pittsburgh, Pa.

1 p.m.

Duke University

31-13, 12-6

Pitt

14-26, 4-14

Duke

Pitt

No. 20 Duke Storms Past Pitt, 11-3, in Series Finale

4/13/2025 8:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – No. 20 Duke scored 10 unanswered runs to storm past Pitt, 11-3, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Vartabedian Field.

With the win, the Blue Devils clinched the conference series victory and secured their spot in the 2025 ACC Softball Championships. Duke improved to 31-13 overall and 12-6 in conference play, while the Panthers fell to 14-26 and 4-14 in ACC action.

The junior duo of KK Mathis and Aminah Vega powered the Blue Devils' offense, batting 2-for-2 and 4-for-5 during the series finale, respectively. The pair also collected three RBI each. Graduate student Thessa Malau'ulu finished 3-for-5 at the plate and accounted for three of Duke's 11 runs.

Graduate student Dani Drogemuller earned her second start of the series, tossing the first 3.1 innings while surrendering three runs off five hits and a pair of strikeouts. Junior Cassidy Curd picked up the win inside the circle after working 3.2 scoreless innings of relief. Curd held the Panthers to just one hit with a game-high six strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Vega took advantage of a Panthers' throwing error to open the scoring in the top of the first. She reached on a base hit to right field before advancing on a hit by pitch and fielder's choice.
Pitt responded immediately in the home half with three runs off two hits and a walk to pull ahead, 3-1.
The Blue Devils sparked their offense again in the top of the third with a five-run frame, highlighted by a Mathis three-run blast to left-center field to regain the lead at 6-3 after redshirt junior Jada Baker's two-run single pulled Duke even.
Vega extended Duke's edge to 7-3 in the top of fourth with an RBI-single deep into right-center field. Her knock brought in junior D'Auna Jennings from second after she reached on a bunt and moved up on base hit.
Curd entered the bottom of the fourth with one out and the bases loaded and sat down the final two batters with a pair of strikeouts to escape the inning unscathed.
Jennings sparked a two-out rally in the final frame, slipping an RBI-single through the left side to plate freshman Hailey Shuler, pinch running for Mathis. Malau'ulu kept the offense alive with a double off the right field wall to score Jennings. Vega then followed with a two-run shot to right field to bring in Malau'ulu and put the game away, 11-3.

NOTES

Drogemuller earned her second start of the weekend and 18th of the season.
Curd moves her season ledger to 12-7 after 30 appearances in the circle.
Mathis blasted her fifth home run of the season and 27th of her career.
The Blue Devils shifted the series with the Panthers to 13-4 all-time.
Duke recorded its 20th game with 10 or more hits.
The Blue Devils outscored the Panthers, 27-15, during the three-game set.
Duke recorded its 11th multi-home run game of the year and has tallied at least one home run in 10 of its last 11 games. The Blue Devils finished the weekend with six homers.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils head to Charlotte on Tuesday for a single non-conference matchup at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats available through Statbroadcast.

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