Duke Baseball: Blue Devils Win Series Against North Carolina

Game Three of this series was very different from the other two. It was still highly intense and competitive, but it was a slugfest.

Duke struck first with Griffin Conine’s 12th home run of the year, but Carolina would quickly erase that with two runs in the 2nd innings.

After the Conine home run, Carolina scored seven straight runs, five of them coming with two outs.

Carolina put a three-spot up in the 5th inning, but the Blue Devils and Jimmy Herron would not go down quietly as he launched a three-run home run, cutting the Carolina lead to 8-4.

It was not the best day for Duke starter Adam Laskey (6-4). He only lasted three and two-thirds innings, while giving up five hits, runs, and walks. The Blue Devils turned to Bill Chillari but he couldn’t right the ship either, only recording one out while surrendering five hits and three runs.

As the Blue Devils tried to mount their comeback, Graeme Stinson was outstanding out of the bullpen. He tossed four scoreless innings, only allowing one hit, and fanning six.

The Blue Devils still trailed 8-4 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, but it was Jimmy Herron again that got the Blue Devils closer, this time launching a two-run shot.

With two outs in the 9th, the Blue Devils managed to bring Zach Kone to the plate as the tying run, but their comeback attempt fell short as Carolina won 8-6.

Tyler Baum (4-1) picked up the win for Carolina, throwing five innings, giving up 4 hits and 4 runs. Josh Hiatt (4) came into to record the one out save.

After this series, the Blue Devils jumped to No. 10 in the polls, while North Carolina fell to No. 7.

As Duke enters their final week of the regular season, the travel to Liberty on Tuesday and then close out the year on the road against Georgia Tech.