Duke Offense Unstoppable, Defeating Wright State 14-6
KNOXVILLE, TENN. – The Duke Blue Devils (33-20) defeated the Wright State Raiders (35-13) in game three 14-6 with their season-high six home run contest of the Knoxville Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Saturday Afternoon.
The Blue Devils collected 15 hits overall, giving them a large lead throughout the game.
Junior left fielder RJ Schreck had himself an all-around day, going 4-for-6 with five RBIs, a double, and the first-ever three-home run game of his career. The Los Angeles, Calif., native also showed out in the field with a leaping catch over the left-field fence, robbing a grand slam in the sixth inning and taking away another two-run shot to end the game.
Freshman left-hander Luke Fox got the start on the bump for the Blue Devils. The rookie allowed four runs on six hits, striking out six, walking two, and giving up one home run in 4 innings pitched. Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Loper entered in the fifth as a relief, allowing one run, three hits, three walks, and retiring three in three innings of work to earn the win.
Duke wasted no time offensively, scoring two in the first inning. Senior center fielder Joey Loperfido led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Schreck followed that up with a homer to the right side, giving the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead.
Wright State was able to score two, tying it up 2-2 in the second inning.
The Blue Devils opened it up in the third inning with two bombs. Schreck hit his second two-run shot and Senior first baseman Chris Crabtree followed that up with another over the right-field fence to give them a 6-2 lead.
Tyler Black homered in the third inning for the Raiders to cut the score in half (6-3).
Loperfido continued to find himself on base with his second double of the day in the fourth inning. Junior shortstop Ethan Murray then singled to right field, scoring Loperfido (7-3).
Wright State found itself another run in the fourth with a single and a triple (7-4).
The Blue Devils came up to the plate even hotter in the fifth inning, scoring another six runs to separate itself from the Raiders. Senior catcher Michael Rothenberg began the rally with a single up the middle, advancing to second on a failed pickoff attempt by the pitcher. Sophomore second baseman Graham Pauley reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, scoring Rothenberg. Graduate student Erickson Nichols then homered to left field, clearing the bases. Graduate student Chase Cheek found a way on base with a fielding error by the second baseman, advancing to second. Murray then hit a two-out, two-run shot over left field. Just as you thought it was over, Schreck followed it up with his third home run of the day, putting the Blue Devils up 13-4.
Wright State put another run on the board in the sixth inning (13-5).
Duke pushed another run across in the eighth inning with the help of Rothenberg and Crabtree (14-5).
Sophomore Marcus Johnson entered in the eighth inning, closing out the game for the Blue Devils. Johnson allowed one run on three hits, striking out two for the final score of 14-6.
The Wright State bullpen struggled with seven pitchers entering the game. The Raiders collected 12 hits on the day and gave up four errors.
Duke continues its efforts heading into game five, playing the loser of game four on Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.