As it rained on Jack Coombs Field yesterday afternoon, the baseball team (15-13) beat High Point (5-23) in a come-from-behind 12-7 win. Taking advantage of the Panthers' weak pitching staff, the Blue Devils were able to pick up 12 runs off only seven hits. Tony Bajoczk picked up his first win of the season and Justin DiLucchio, who recorded the save, pitched four solid innings in which he allowed only one run.
"Especially after last weekend at Maryland, where we had a couple tough ACC losses, it was really good to come out and win," DiLucchio said. "Even though we came out a little slow, but we knew that was a game we should win and that we really needed it going into a tough game against Elon tomorrow and this weekend against Virginia."
High Point struck first in the second inning with five runs to give the Panthers an early lead. Duke's Danny Otero, usually a relief pitcher, started the game and gave up five runs off six hits in three innings. However, because of two errors on the field, Otero, who had not seen much time on the mound in over three weeks, only gave up one earned run.
Duke answered back in the bottom of the third with a run, but it was the fourth inning that turned the game around for the Blue Devils. Mike Miello, Bryan Smith and Brian Hernandez had loaded the bases, and with two outs, Panther pitcher Phil Leake walked Corey Whiting, which scored the first run. Clayton Gordner relieved Leake only to face Adam Murray, who ripped a triple into the rightfield hole. Murray brought in three runs, the last of which tied the game. Javier Socorro brought Murray home with a single to rightfield, putting the Blue Devils ahead.
"[Murray's hit] was a clutch hit," head coach Bill Hillier said. "It tied the game up and kind of broke [High Point's] back. I'm glad to see him start swinging the bat and getting good looks."
Though High Point answered back with another run to tie the game at six, the Panthers' pitching helped the Blue Devils score another six runs. Contrasted against the two walks Duke allowed, Leake and Gordner combined for seven of the team's nine walks. The inconsistency of High Point's pitching, hitting two Duke batters, allowed the Blue Devils to score in the later innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, with the game tied, Duke was able to capitalize on a couple of Panther errors, as High Point was able to do in the second inning. Smith led off the inning and hit a soft grounder that was fielded and overthrown by the pitcher. He later stole third on a wild pitch to Hernandez, who was hit by one of the subsequent pitches. Adam Loftin drew a walk and the bases were loaded again. After a sacrifice fly, a passed ball and another High Point error, Duke was able to score another three runs, putting it ahead for the remainder of the game.
Though they didn't play in optimal conditions or at an optimal level, the Blue Devils were still able to come away with a win.
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