Smith Homers, Dean Shuts the Door in Duke's Win, 3-2

Sunday, April 12

Raleigh, N.C.

1 p.m.

Duke University

22-16, 8-10

NC State

24-12, 8-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Duke	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	4	1
NC State	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	4	1

Smith Homers, Dean Shuts the Door in Duke's Win, 3-2

4/12/2026 4:24:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RALEIGH, N.C. – Duke received late heroics from Kaden Smith to secure a 3-2 win at NC State Sunday, April 12. The pitching staff for both the Blue Devils (22-16, 8-10 ACC) and Wolfpack (24-12, 8-7 ACC) were the story for most of the game, before a late game-tying knock by the hosts sent the game to the ninth tied at 2-2.

Smith led off the final frame with a 390-foot home run over the bullpen in left field, while Ben Dean earned the win on the mound, recording the final four outs of the contest. Andy Leon started on the bump for the Blue Devils, posting 6.0 innings pitched, while allowing just two hits and one run in 22 batters faced.

Adin Zorn also homered on Sunday, his second long ball of the season, with a 404-foot shot in the top of the second inning.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first two Blue Devils reached base, with Jake Lambdin lacing a single past the shortstop and RJ Hamilton splitting the gap in right-center for a double. Lambdin crossed the plate on a failed pickoff attempt, giving Duke a 1-0 lead less than three batters in.
Duke starter Andy Leon allowed a lone hit in the home half of the first but did not allow a base runner to reach second base, holding the Wolfpack scoreless in their first trip to the plate.
Adin Zorn doubled Duke's lead in the top of the second, sending the first pitch he saw 404 feet to left, his second home run of the season.
An acrobatic jump throw from third-base foul territory by Coltin Quagliano got the out at first base and highlighted another scoreless frame by Duke's defense in the bottom of the second.
Both pitchers cruised through the next three innings, before an NC State double in the bottom of the sixth halved Duke's lead, 2-1. Another great defensive play, courtesy of Collin Anderson at second base, ended the threat and maintained the Blue Devils' advantage.
Roman DiGiacomo took over for Leon to start the bottom of the seventh and worked around a single and stolen base to keep Duke in front. The Wolfpack knotted the score, 2-2, in the bottom of the eighth, with an RBI double down the left-field line. Ben Dean entered and kept the game tied, forcing a pop out to first base.
Kaden Smith proved to be the hero in the top of the ninth, leading off the frame with a 390-foot homer on a 3-1 count over the bullpen in left field. Dean remained in the game and got the final three outs, striking out NC State's leadoff hitter, Rett Johnson, on a 2-2 count to end the game.