Early Offense Leads No. 20 Duke Past Pitt, 13-7, in Series Opener

Friday, April 11

Pittsburgh, Pa.

6 p.m.

Duke University

30-12, 11-5

Pitt

13-25, 3-13

Duke

Pitt

Early Offense Leads No. 20 Duke Past Pitt, 13-7, in Series Opener

4/11/2025 11:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – No. 20 Duke sparked its offense early, plating 12 of its 13 runs in the first three innings, to push past Pitt, 13-7, in the conference series opener at Vartabedian Field Friday night.

With the win, the Blue Devils improve to 11-5 in conference play this season and 30-12 overall, while the Panthers drop to 13-25 and 3-13 in ACC play.

Junior Aminah Vega and graduate student Thessa Malau'ulu powered the offense, finishing 2-for-3 and 3-for-5, respectively. Malau'ulu also collected three RBI during the contest. Redshirt sophomore Kairi Rodriguez and junior D'Auna Jennings also played a role in the scoring, batting 2-for-4 and combined to drive in six of Duke's 13 runs.

Graduate student Dani Drogemuller earned the start and the win in the circle. Drogemuller surrendered four runs off six hits while collecting a game-high six strikeouts. The Frankfort, Ill., native improves her season ledger to 11-5 after 25 appearances.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Malau'ulu opened the game with a leadoff home run straight out of center field. Junior KK Mathis pushed Duke ahead with an RBI-double to right-center field, bringing in senior Ana Gold from second. Jennings followed with a sacrifice bunt to score redshirt junior Jada Baker. Rodriguez then sent a two-out single up the middle to plate Mathis and give the Blue Devils a 4-0 lead.
Pitt responded in the home half with a solo shot from Kylie Griggs to make it a 4-1 game.
Duke posted another four-run frame in the top of the second, highlighted by Malau'ulu's second long ball of the night, to pull ahead, 8-1.
KK Esparza added another run for the Panthers via a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 8-2.
The Blue Devils kept the pace on offense, tacking on four additional runs off five hits to stretch a 12-2 advantage in the top of the third.
Pitt battled back with five unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth to cut into the Blue Devils' edge, 12-7, and avoid the run-rule.
Baker went yard in the final frame with a solo blast to left field to round out the scoring on the night, 13-7.

NOTES

Malau'ulu recorded the second multi-home run game of her career, tallying her third and fourth career long balls.
Baker sent out her sixth home run of the season and 11th of her career.
Jennings reached the 200-career hits milestone with an infield single in the top of the second.
Rodriguez drove in a career-high four RBI during the contest.
Mike made her fourth appearance in the circle, entering the game in the bottom of the fifth.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils and Panthers continue the three-game series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

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