Layden scores twice, leads Duke to win over ODU

Rebounding from its five-game losing streak earlier this month, the baseball team (20-18) won its fifth straight over Old Dominion (14-23) 5-3.

     

  The Blue Devils' pitching, once again, controlled the game. Tim Layden, who pitched a no-hitter last week against ODU, earned his fifth win despite only two innings on the rubber, and Greg Burke picked up the save.

     

  "I was pleased with the way [the pitchers] threw," head coach Bill Hillier said. "It's another good outing for the pitching staff. Anytime you hold [your opponent to] three runs, you're playing well."

     

  Kevin Thompson took over for Layden in the third inning and struck out two batters in 1.2 innings. Then Zach Schreiber relieved Thompson in the fourth inning, pitched 3.1 innings, registered five strikeouts and walked none. Justin Dilucchio and Burke each pitched an inning, and clinched the team's fifth-straight victory.

     

  "Socorro, Hernandez and Layden combined for seven of our nine hits," Hillier said. "They really helped us out at the plate today. We're hitting timely, we're pitching well and we're playing pretty good defense. If we keep that up, we'll be able to beat any team. While we're not a team that waits for home runs, we've been able to hit-and-run, bunt and play situational baseball, and it seems to be working for us right now. I'll take the two-run wins."

     

  After leaving three men on base in the fourth inning, ODU was able to put a run on the board in the fifth. With two outs, Steven Harris singled and advanced to second on a pass ball. Dana Arrowood singled up the middle and collected the RBI to cut Duke's lead in half, but the Blue Devils promptly answered.

     

  In the top of the sixth, Layden picked up another double, hitting a line drive down the leftfield line. Bryan Smith recorded his 23rd RBI, grounding up the middle off of Hunter Hall who had relieved Godin.

     

  In the seventh inning, Duke extended its lead with two runs. Adam Loftin led off and reached second as the Monarchs' Derrick James misplayed the ball in leftfield. Then Kyle Silver walked, and Jonathan Anderson advanced Silver and Loftin off a bunt down the first base line. Socorro picked up his second single of the night, bringing in the two runners on base.

     

  In the bottom of the eighth, with Monarchs on first and third, Tyler Belcher pinch hit for Kenneth Gram, who was 0-for-3. He hit the ball into centerfield, and Anderson dove, but missed the catch. Belcher tried to take third as his two teammates scored, but strong and accurate throws by Mike Miello and Smith forced Belcher to turn back to second, where he was picked off for the second out. The inning ended for ODU as Keith Hahn grounded out to Smith at second base.

     

  With one out in the ninth, Burke walked Harris and the tying run came to the plate, but Arrowood hit into a double play and ended the game, giving the Blue Devils a two-game series sweep.

     

  With three double plays in last night's game, Duke's defense and pitching held ODU to three runs on its 12 hits. The Monarchs also left 10 men on base.

     

  "Whenever you have 12 hits against you, you're playing pretty good defense," Hillier said. "The pitching helped, especially when Schreiber struck out three to get us out of a jam in the seventh."

     

  Duke's pitching has proved to be its greatest asset this season. The team's ERA is 3.95, and top starters Layden, Burke and Schreiber each have over 50 strikeouts. Layden and Schreiber have both earned ACC Pitcher of the Week accolades, and Layden was nationally recognized this week for his performance in his last start. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named the junior left hander National Co-Pitcher of the Week Tuesday, and he also earned National Player of the Week honors by Collegiate Baseball. He and Thompson are two of three Duke players to ever earn the latter honor.

     

  "Whenever you have a national award and done something that hasn't been done since 1991, it shows you how hard it is to do," Hillier said about Layden's awards. "He's going to open a lot of eyes with that type of performance. He's capable of shutting anybody down when he goes out there and very deserving of the award. I'm happy for him and the team for getting that type of recognition."

     

  This weekend, the Blue Devils will face No. 18 North Carolina (27-10) at home before going on the road for three weeks. UNC's strength is in its bats, as the team averages .302 and has hit 42 home runs, contrasted to Duke's 10.

     

  On the mound, the teams are a bit more comparable, but UNC still boasts the better statistics. However, the Tar Heels lost their most recent ACC series to Clemson in extra innings while Duke outplayed and handled the Demon Deacons, sweeping the series.

     

  "These past weeks have shown us what we're capable of doing," Hillier said. "Hopefully we'll be able to take these wins and carry that momentum against those Tar Holes this weekend."

     

  However, before it faces UNC, the team will have to take on Davidson (15-20) tonight at 7 p.m. The game will be the second of three the teams play in the regular season--Duke lost the first 3-2 in February, and they will meet again on May 2. The Blue Devils will play their three-game series against the Tar Heels Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.