Seven solid innings from starting pitcher Jake Knapp and clutch defense from shortstop Alex Madera in the ninth inning helped the Diamond Heels hold off a Duke comeback attempt and win 4-3 in the first game of a three-game series at Boshamer Stadium Thursday night.
Knapp allowed just four hits and two runs (one unearned) across his seven innings of work, striking out two Blue Devils in the process. He left in line for his sixth win of the season thanks to a two-run home from Jackson Van De Brake in the fourth inning which gave UNC a 3-2 lead. It was Van De Brake’s first home run of the season.
The score stayed 3-2 until the bottom of the eighth, when Perry Hargett reached second base on a two-out double. Kane Kepley stepped up and hit a soft ground ball to the left side, but a slip from the Duke second baseman allowed Kepley to reach and Hargett to score. The insurance run gave UNC a 4-2 lead, which would prove critical in an eventful ninth inning.
Ryan Lynch, who had pitched a spotless eighth for UNC, promptly allowed the first three Blue Devils he faced in the ninth reach base on a dropped third strike, a walk and a hit batter. Walker McDuffie entered from the bullpen and recorded the first out on a fielder’s choice which allowed a Duke run to score.
With UNC’s lead down to 4-3 and runners on the corners with one out, McDuffie induced a ground ball to the right side of the infield. Madera, shifted over to that side from his shortstop position, fielded the grounder and sprinted to second base to record the force out and rocketed a throw to first, just in time to turn the double play and seal a thrilling Carolina victory. The play was upheld after a review.
With the win, UNC is now 23-7 on the season and 7-6 in ACC play. The Diamond Heels and Blue Devils will be back in action for the second game of the series Friday night at 6 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Baseball on Twitter
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