Behind its worst defensive performance of the season Duke fell to UNC-Wilmington, 15-8, at home under the lights Wednesday.
The Blue Devils' eight runs on 10 hits was their highest scoring output since losing to Winthrop, 13-8, March 11. But with six errors on the night, Duke (8-22) did little to stop the Seahawks' offensive onslaught that featured 18 hits.
"We swung the bats well at times, but you have to catch the ball better," head coach Sean McNally said. "We gave a lot of extra outs. You give a team like that that many extra outs-they have a good offensive club-it's always going to come back to get you."
After losing to UNCW (21-6), 17-0, in their first matchup March 1, the Blue Devils looked like they had a chance at redemption early.
A three-run third inning behind RBIs from right fielder Jimmy Gallagher, second baseman Javier Socorro, and first baseman Jonathan Nicolla put Duke ahead, 3-2.
But the Seahawks were quick to respond. Lee McLean hit a three-run homer en route to a four-run inning that put UNCW out of reach for good.
"They kind of grabbed the momentum back at that point," McNally said. "It's important in an inning like that where we put three runs on the board to come back out and shut them down."
Duke eventually regained its composure to post three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little, too late as the Seahawks had already crossed the plate 15 times.
The Blue Devils were led by Socorro, who batted 3-for-5 with one run scored and three RBIs. His hard-hit triple to left-center field in the fifth inning brought in one run, and in the ninth, he knocked in a run and then scored another on a passed ball.
"He hit a couple line drives and actually hit the ball to right, to left, and to center," McNally said. "When you're using the whole field you're feeling good at the plate so that was good to see."
UNCW starting pitcher Jeff Hatcher was awarded the win while Jim Perry received the loss, leaving him with an 0-3 record on the season. Perry gave up six earned runs on nine hits in his four and one-third innings.
Ryan Perry was a highlight on the mound for the Blue Devils. He recorded four of the team's five strikeouts and gave up no earned runs in a two-inning outing.
Even after the seven-run loss, McNally still found reason to remain confident.
"It is good to see us swing the bats better and score some runs," he said. "That's been an issue lately, so that's a positive to take out of it."
Duke will look to take its hot bats north when it takes on Boston College in a three-game series this weekend.
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