Blue Devils Fall Short to NO. 11 Georgia Tech

DURHAM, NC – Friday, March 26th Duke (9-9, 4-6 ACC) hosted NO. 11 Georgia Tech (12-8, 9-4 ACC) for game one of three in the series transpiring throughout the weekend. The Blue Devils broke their two-game win streak to the Yellow Jackets in game one, allowing Georgia Tech to take the win 5-2.

Duke finished the matchup with two runs, eight hits, three doubles, and two RBI’s. Two of the Blue Devils’ eight hits came from Graduate student Peter Matt and Senior Chris Crabtree. The RBI’s of the night came from shortstop Ethan Murray and Crabtree.

With no runs or hits from either team in the first two innings, Duke saw the Yellow Jackets come out strong in the top of the third (where they scored three runs), it was only appropriate for them to come back fighting as well.

Peter Matt scored from second on an RBI single from Chris Crabtree. Adding that first run of the day on the scoreboard brought the score to 3-1. Matt was able to record his eighth multi-hit game this season, now sitting as one of two team leaders in hits for Duke.

The Devils’ were able to get another run in the fifth inning due to Ethan Murray’s sacrifice fly out to right field that brought in Wil Hoyle. This play closed the gap a little more bringing the score to 3-2.

Duke was able to hold back the Georgia Tech offense, before two back-to-back home runs from Yellow Jackets Malloy and ACC leading hitter Prada, in addition to the three previous that transpired earlier in the competition. Ending the game with a final score of 5-2.

Post the two bombs from Georgia Tech, the Blue devils struggled to hold the Yellow Jackets offensively as they ran through the rest of the matchup.

The Devils’ Oliver McCarthy pitched for 2.1 innings, allowing three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. Senior Matt Dockman finished the final three innings with only one hit and two strikeouts.

First pitch of game two in the weekend series will take place on Saturday, March 27th is scheduled for 7 PM, followed by game three on Sunday that will take place at 1 PM. Both games can be accessed by viewers on the ACCN.