Virginia Takes Series with 4-2 Win over Duke

Sunday, May 10

Charlottesville, Va.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Virginia

Virginia Takes Series with 4-2 Win over Duke

5/10/2015 4:55:00 PM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Duke outhit Virginia 9-7 but came up just short in the series finale, falling 4-2 to the Cavaliers Sunday afternoon at Davenport Field.

Freshman Peter Zyla, sophomore Cris Perez and redshirt senior Mike Rosenfeld registered two hits apiece for the Blue Devils. Redshirt sophomore Jalen Phillips drove in both Duke (28-21, 8-18 ACC) runs, lifting a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the sixth and belting a solo home run in the ninth.

“I thought we did some good things,” said head coach Chris Pollard. “We swung the bats well in the middle of our lineup. We weren't able to push as many runs across as we would've liked to, but Zyla, Rosenfeld and Cris Perez swung the bats well.”

Virginia scored two runs in the bottom of the second to establish the early lead. Pavin Smith and Robbie Coman singled, both with one out. Kevin Doherty came up with the two-run, two out single to put Virginia on the board.

The Cavaliers tacked on a third run the following frame. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Pavin Smith, who coaxed a walk to plate the run.

The Smith walk ended the day for Duke starter Bailey Clark (3-5). Clark ultimately suffered the loss after allowing three runs on three hits over 2.1 innings.

Senior Sarkis Ohanian pitched the rest of the way, limiting the Cavaliers to one run on four hits over the final 5.2 innings. Ohanian struck out three and did not walk a batter.

“Tremendous, tremendous outing by Sarkis Ohaniain,” Pollard said. “Kept the ballgame where it was and gave us a chance to win it late.”

UVa's lone run off of Ohanina came in the fifth when Kenny Towns recorded a sacrifice fly to score Daniel Pinero, who led off with a base hit.

Duke got on the board in the sixth after loading the bases with three straight singles. Phillips lifted a sacrifice fly to left before the Cavaliers worked out of the jam.

Virginia left fielder Smith made a spectacular leaping grab to rob Andy Perez of a two-run home run in the seventh to maintain the three-run margin.

Phillips' third homer of the year, a solo shot to right to lead off the ninth, cut the margin to 4-2. Phillips registered his team-leading ninth multiple RBI game of the season to bring his 2015 total to 27.

After a one-out walk to Justin Bellinger, Virginia reliever Adam Haseley induced the 4-6-3 double play to end the game, earning his first save in the process.

UVa starter Josh Sborz (2-2) allowed one run on right hits over seven innings to earn the win. Sborz struck out three and walked a batter on the day.

Duke hosts Longwood at Jack Coombs Field Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m.

#GoDuke