Eager to establish itself this year as a national contender, the Duke baseball team kicked off the 2002 season on a promising note, taking 2-of-3 games from Navy at Jack Coombs Field.
After splitting a doubleheader Saturday, the Blue Devils (2-1) took the rubber match Sunday, 8-4, behind strong pitching and defense and Larry Broadway's five runs batted in. The only blemish on the feel-good weekend was the loss in the second game Saturday, when Navy blew open a tie game with four runs in the ninth inning.
"We could have easily gotten three [wins], but I'll take two," Duke coach Bill Hillier said. "I'm pleased with the way the guys bounced back after losing in the ninth inning [of the second game Saturday]."
Sophomore Greg Burke (1-0) picked up the victory Sunday, tossing five solid innings. His only troubles came in the top of the third inning, when Navy broke open a scoreless game with a three-run rally capped by a two-out, RBI double by third-baseman Jake Miller.
Navy nearly added another run in the inning when Rusty Hearn followed with a liner to right, but Miller was thrown out at the plate by junior Brian Patrick.
Despite falling behind, Duke battled right back with two runs in the bottom of the third. A dropped fly ball by Navy leftfielder Craig Candeto gave the preseason All-American Broadway an opportunity to bat with two runners on base, and he capitalized, lining a double down the left-field line for a double and two RBI.
The score remained 3-2 until Duke took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth, greeting Navy reliever Jeff Lange (0-1) with a three-run rally. Broadway roped an RBI single, and freshman Aaron Kempster delivered the biggest hit of his young career, drilling a bases-loaded, two-out single to bring in two more runs.
Kempster's hit turned out to be the game-winner, as freshman Tim Layden took over for Burke and silenced the Midshipmen bats, allowing only a solo homer to Brian Whitten in the top of the seventh. Otherwise, the Blue Devils cruised, adding to their lead with yet another two-RBI double by Broadway.
Hillier said he was pleased with the contributions of his freshmen, who make up one of the strongest incoming classes in the country.
"I expect them to do well, they're highly-touted coming in here," Hillier said. "Kempster got the game-winning hit..., Layden pitched awesome..., so I'm very pleased with our freshmen."
Saturday, Jeff Alleva (1-0) earned the win for Duke in the first game, scattering four runs and seven hits over seven solid innings. Catcher Troy Caradonna went 2-for-4, including a bases-loaded, two-RBI single.
In the second game, Navy went ahead 4-2 in the seventh, but Duke battled back to tie after a wild pitch scored Bryan Smith and Layden drilled an RBI single. However, with the score tied in the ninth, Navy scored four unanswered runs off Patrick to get the victory.
Despite the disappointing ending to Saturday's second game, it was a good weekend overall for the Blue Devils as they attempt to gain recognition both nationally and in the ACC.
"We're in a good spot right now to shed some light on the program and wake everybody up in the country [to the fact that] we're going to be a good team this year," Broadway said.
Only time will tell if the Blue Devils can accomplish such lofty goals, but this weekend was an encouraging start.
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