Duke Blue Devils Defeat Miami 3-2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The ninth-seeded Duke Blue Devils (30-20, 18-17 ACC) extended their winning streak to ten games after defeating No. 4 Miami (32-18, 20-16) 3-2. The league’s hottest team continued their winning ways in game two of the 2021 ACC Championship on Thursday at Truist Park.

Duke’s comeback at the plate capped a 2-run seventh inning, tying it up 2-2 through the ninth inning. Junior left fielder RJ Schreck led the inning off with a single to right field. Graduate student Peter Matt followed that up with a double down the right-field line, advancing Schreck to third base. Senior catcher Michael Rothenberg stepped in today with another big at-bat, singling up the middle and scoring Matt and Schreck.
The Blue Devils defense held Miami’s potent offense for the remainder of the game.

Rothenberg continued to keep things exciting with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Blue Devils their first-ever championship victory over the Hurricanes 3-2.

Both pitchers for Duke did a tremendous job mixing in pitches for a combined 11 strikeouts. Junior Jack Carey started on the mound for the Blue Devils, holding the Miami offense to only two runs, one unearned, on four hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts in six innings pitched. Sophomore Marcus Johnson relieved the pitching duties and finished the game with the win. He tossed three innings of work, giving up two hits, three walks, and struck out three.

The Blue Devils will look to keep extending their ACC-leading win streak to 11 consecutive games. Duke clinched the Pool D championship with today’s win, sending them into Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinal game at Truist Field.