Upcoming Event: Softball versus East Carolina on February 24, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Softball
vs East Carolina
Duke Softball Hosts East Carolina in Home Opener Tuesday
2/23/2026 5:06:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – No. 20 Duke softball hosts East Carolina in its home opener Tuesday at Smith Family Stadium. First pitch with the Pirates is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Blue Devils moved their season record to 9-7 overall, following five games at the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. Duke split its two games on the opening day, suffering an 11-5 setback to No. 11 Texas A&M before rebounding in the nightcap against Hawaii with a 9-6 victory.
Duke battled a pair of top-10 teams on the second day of the invitational, but ultimately came up short, falling to No. 5 Oklahoma, 11-1, and No. 9 UCLA, 10-5, Friday.
Saturday's contest with No. 18 Oregon was a back-and-forth battle that led to an 11-8 Ducks victory in eight innings. Senior D'Auna Jennings tallied the program's first five-hit performance and reached the 250-career hit milestone. Classmate Aminah Vega and redshirt junior Jessica Oakland finished 3-for-5 and 3-for-4, respectively. Vega also collected a season-high four RBI during the contest.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tuesday's contest will be streamed on ACC Network Extra with Dean Linke on the call. Live Stats will be available through Statbroadcast.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
INSIDE THE SERIES
Duke leads the all-time series, 7-1, after meeting for the first time in 2018. The Blue Devils have won seven straight contests against the Pirates and hold a 3-0 record when playing in Durham.
In the last meeting in 2025, Duke collected an 11-0 run-rule victory over East Carolina in five innings at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium. Aminah Vega led the Blue Devils at the plate, batting a perfect 4-for-4 on the night with three runs scored. The trio of KK Mathis, Aleyah Terrell and Amiah Burgess each finished 2-for-3 during the contest and combined to drive in three of Duke's 11 runs.
ABOUT THE PIRATES
East Carolina (9-7) hits the road for the first time in two weeks following an 11-game homestand. The Pirates first welcomed Buffalo, Notre Dame and Maryland for the Purple and Gold Classic before a midweek contest with UNC Wilmington and the Pirate Clash, featuring James Madison, St. Bonaventure and Towson in the Pirate Clash.
The Pirates are led by senior Anna Sawyer's .426 batting average through 16 games. The starting right fielder has tallied a team-high 20 hits with three doubles and one home run on the year. In the circle, redshirt sophomore Julia Apostolakos leads the pitching staff with 30 strikeouts in 47.0 innings.
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils remain at home, welcoming Boston University, Northwestern and Ohio State to Smith Family Stadium Feb. 26-Mar. 1 for the Duke Invitational. Duke is set to open action against Northwestern on Thursday in a 4 p.m. matchup.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
The Blue Devils moved their season record to 9-7 overall, following five games at the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. Duke split its two games on the opening day, suffering an 11-5 setback to No. 11 Texas A&M before rebounding in the nightcap against Hawaii with a 9-6 victory.
Duke battled a pair of top-10 teams on the second day of the invitational, but ultimately came up short, falling to No. 5 Oklahoma, 11-1, and No. 9 UCLA, 10-5, Friday.
Saturday's contest with No. 18 Oregon was a back-and-forth battle that led to an 11-8 Ducks victory in eight innings. Senior D'Auna Jennings tallied the program's first five-hit performance and reached the 250-career hit milestone. Classmate Aminah Vega and redshirt junior Jessica Oakland finished 3-for-5 and 3-for-4, respectively. Vega also collected a season-high four RBI during the contest.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tuesday's contest will be streamed on ACC Network Extra with Dean Linke on the call. Live Stats will be available through Statbroadcast.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
INSIDE THE SERIES
Duke leads the all-time series, 7-1, after meeting for the first time in 2018. The Blue Devils have won seven straight contests against the Pirates and hold a 3-0 record when playing in Durham.
In the last meeting in 2025, Duke collected an 11-0 run-rule victory over East Carolina in five innings at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium. Aminah Vega led the Blue Devils at the plate, batting a perfect 4-for-4 on the night with three runs scored. The trio of KK Mathis, Aleyah Terrell and Amiah Burgess each finished 2-for-3 during the contest and combined to drive in three of Duke's 11 runs.
ABOUT THE PIRATES
East Carolina (9-7) hits the road for the first time in two weeks following an 11-game homestand. The Pirates first welcomed Buffalo, Notre Dame and Maryland for the Purple and Gold Classic before a midweek contest with UNC Wilmington and the Pirate Clash, featuring James Madison, St. Bonaventure and Towson in the Pirate Clash.
The Pirates are led by senior Anna Sawyer's .426 batting average through 16 games. The starting right fielder has tallied a team-high 20 hits with three doubles and one home run on the year. In the circle, redshirt sophomore Julia Apostolakos leads the pitching staff with 30 strikeouts in 47.0 innings.
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils remain at home, welcoming Boston University, Northwestern and Ohio State to Smith Family Stadium Feb. 26-Mar. 1 for the Duke Invitational. Duke is set to open action against Northwestern on Thursday in a 4 p.m. matchup.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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