One of the keys to Duke's turnaround this season has been its increased offensive output-the Blue Devils have scored 9.2 runs per game this year, compared to 5.1 in 2006.
Duke (13-1) will look to continue its production at the plate this afternoon at 3 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field as it takes on Temple (2-7), which enters the game with a 9.95 team ERA.
"We'll attack them the same way we attack everybody," head coach Sean McNally said. "Just go up there and be ready to hit and just concentrate on having good, quality at-bats, making the pitcher throw strikes, getting good pitches to hit and be ready to take advantage."
Temple has been outscored 20-1 in its last two games against Kent State and East Tennessee State. The Owls have surrendered as many as 23 runs in a game, with New Mexico State hanging that lopsided score on the Owls in an 18-run victory Feb. 25.
"We're certainly not going to overlook them," Jim Gallagher said. "We're going to have the same approach."
The Owls have managed just one run and 11 hits in their last two games, but Temple showed its ability to pull out quality wins by defeating Winthrop (10-7) 5-4 in extra innings Friday.
In using 10 different pitchers in their weekend sweep of Holy Cross, the Blue Devils' pitching staff could be a bit tired. Freshman pitcher Michael Ness, who went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA last week, won ACC Pitcher of the Week honors Monday. The team took Monday off to rest, but it will need a strong performance from starting pitcher Jeremy Gould (0-1, 6.52 ERA) if Duke is to win its fourth game in four days.
"We expect Jeremy to come out and throw well," Gallagher said. "We'll have all our relief pitchers ready, but we'd love to have him come out and throw six innings, and we know he's capable of that."
Backed by a powerful offense, steady pitching and a consistent defense, the Blue Devils have cruised through their pre-ACC slate to this point. With a home series against Boston College looming this weekend, Duke is looking to finish strong in its next two non-conference games against Temple and Xavier.
"We really want to finish this pre-ACC period strong," McNally said. "Our focus will be directly on these next two games in these next two days, and then we'll get into the ACC on the weekend."
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