Duke Clinches Series with 8-7 Win vs. VMI

Sunday, February 20

Durham, N.C.

1:00 P.M.

Duke University

2-1

Virginia Military Institute

1-2

VMI

Duke

Duke Clinches Series with 8-7 Win vs. VMI

2/20/2022 7:07:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score BOX SCORE COACH POLLARD POSTGAME SEASON STATS PHOTO GALLERY

DURHAM – Graduate student Chris Crabtree finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Blue Devils to an 8-7 victory over Virginia Military Institute to clinch the opening weekend series at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

"We were really better in all three phases and played much better defense on Saturday and Sunday," head coach Chris Pollard said. "That was probably the most notable change. We did a good job for the most part of pounding the strike zone and took better and more competitive swings. We still have to do better with a runner on third and less than two outs. We have to learn from that and get better, but we started to turn the corner in some areas."

Crabtree's 2-for-3 performance was highlighted by his first home run of the season, a 435-foot two-run shot to center. Classmate Chris Davis also had a productive day at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a trio of walks and runs scored. Sophomore Luke Storm and rookie Alex Mooney also added multi-hit games with two apiece.

Senior right-hander Cooper Stinson started on the mound for the Blue Devils, allowing four runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Freshman Ryan Higgins entered in relief of Stinson, earning the win in his first collegiate appearance. He put together a pair of clean innings while allowing just one hit and striking out one. VMI's Trey Morgan was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs on three hits and three walks in 3.2 innings pitched.

The Keydets jumped out to the first lead of the game in the top of the second, but Duke would respond and take a 3-2 lead after the third. Storm recorded an RBI-single in the bottom of the second frame to tie it 1-1 at the time, then Crabtree smoked a two-RBI home run 435 feet to center field to give Duke the lead in the third.

The Blue Devils added on three more runs in the fourth to extend its lead to 6-2. Duke prospered on a throwing error by the Keydets, a Mooney single up the middle and a wild pitch to score the trio of runs. VMI would not be counted out, scoring two more in the top of the fifth via a home run to make it 6-4.

Duke added another in the bottom of the sixth before the two teams exchanged runs in the seventh. Crabtree drove in a run with a groundout in the sixth. Storm plated another with a single to left field in the seventh.

VMI threatened in the eighth inning, scoring two and putting the tying run on third with two outs. Senior Jimmy Loper was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout as the VMI batter leaned into a pitch to attempt to draw a hit by pitch.

Loper made his first appearance of the season out of the bullpen. He earned the save for the Blue Devils as he pitched the final three innings and fanned six while allowing just two runs on two hits.

Duke returns to action on Tuesday against Appalachian State. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at the DBAP.

NOTES:

Loper's six strikeouts were the second-most of his career, just one short of his career high of seven against Pittsburgh on March 6, 2021.
Davis drew three walks for the third time in his career, the first time since at George Mason in March 2019.
Duke improves to 7-2 in season-opening weekend series under head coach Chris Pollard.

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