Duke Makes History, Securing Their First ACC Championship Title 

CHARLOTTE, NC. The Duke Blue Devils (32-20,16-17 ACC) took home their first-ever ACC Championship title in school history defeating NC State (30-17,19-14). The victory extends their dominant winning streak to 12 games. Duke missed their scheduled chance to meet during the regular season but was able to do so on Sunday at Truist Park. 

The pitching is what did it for the Blue Devils, but playing as a team brought them their success this season. It was a battle of the bullpens, and Duke’s performance on the bump was lights out. 

Junior pitcher Cooper Stinson got the start today for Duke and was untouchable. He was laser-focused on the mound, utilizing his pitches and proving he is a strong force. Stinson lasted six innings against the Wolfpack, allowing only three hits, with no walks, six strikeouts, and no runs scored to secure the win. 

Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Loper and sophomore Marcus Johnson followed on the mound, each allowing no runs on one hit. It marks the first time since the 2019 ACC Championship that NC State has not scored a run all game. 

The Blue Devils struggled to get runners on but found a way to bring one around in the fourth inning. Junior shortstop Ethan Murray doubled to left field and made his way to third on a flyout to center field. Graduate Student Peter Matt hit a long high fly out to right field, scoring Murray for the final score of 1-0. 

• ACC All-Tournament Team: 
• Tournament MVP- Senior Joey Loperfido 
• Outfield- Joey Loperfido 
• Catcher- Senior Michael Rothenberg
• Pitcher- Junior Cooper Stinson

The Blue Devils hope to continue to show out and shock the crowd while advancing to the 2021 NCAA Baseball Tournament.