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Softball
Duke Takes Series Opener in Walk-Off
April 27, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. ââ’¬” For a second-consecutive weekend, Lacy Smith (Lancaster, Pa.) pitched Virginia (12-37, 3-19 ACC) into a low-scoring duel, but Duke (27-23, 11-11 ACC) used a two-out single to walk-off with a 3-2 win in the series opener.
Smith (5-10) was stellar in the circle, scattering nine hits while allowing just a pair of earned runs. The performance marked back-to-back, tough-luck losses for the junior, who took a 3-2 loss last weekend at Pitt.
Allison Davis (Oak Hill, Va.) led the game off with a single to extend her hitting streak to six games, but it was the Blue Devils who would get on the board first. A walk, single and two-out error in the first inning allowed Duke to plate a run and take an early 1-0 lead.
Virginia leveled the game in the top of the third inning, capitalizing on a Duke error in the process. Kate Covington (McLean, Va.) reached to open the inning before Ashley Jennings (Forest, Va.) roped a single into left field. A groundout moved both runners into scoring position for Hayley Busby (Phoenix, Ariz.) to knot the game with a sacrifice fly.
A solo home run to lead off the fourth put the Blue Devils back in front.
The Cavaliers pulled back level in the sixth with a clutch, two-out RBI from Covington. A walk and single from Erika Osherow (Darien, Conn.) put two aboard with one out. After a fielder’s choice, Covington laced the first pitch she saw from Amelia Wiercioch right back over the outstretched glove of the Duke pitcher to score Osherow from second, tying the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Duke found the clutch hit to earn the walk-off win. A double off the base of the left field wall put the eventual winning run aboard and a two-out, bloop single fell in front of a diving Osherow in right field to give the Blue Devils a 3-2 win.
UP NEXT
Virginia and Duke continue the series with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday (April 28). The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.