Despite a season-opening loss Friday, the Blue Devils rallied to win three straight against LaSalle Saturday and Sunday to start their season with a series win at Jack Coombs Field.
Duke's 5-2 defeat Friday, in which the Blue Devils (3-1) managed just eight hits, quickly faded from view as head coach Sean McNally's squad ultimately outscored the Explorers 30-11 in the weekend set.
Duke's offense came into form in Saturday's doubleheader. Senior first baseman Nate Freiman, the team's leading hitter last season, slammed two 3-run home runs and tallied seven total RBI in a 12-2 win in the first game. Junior Alex Hassan finished 4-for-5 with four runs in the first game before going 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the nightcap, a 5-3 Duke win.
Equally as impressive as the offensive output was senior Andrew Wolcott's performance on the mound. He held the Explorers (1-3) to only two runs in 7.0 innings while striking out six. Sophomore Dennis O'Grady and senior Tim Sherlock matched Wolcott's impressive display with skillful showings, each throwing a scoreless inning.
After the morning blowout, LaSalle made the Saturday night game more interesting. The Blue Devils got out to an early lead, scoring all five of their runs in the first three innings. LaSalle's three-run fourth inning, though, brought the game within reach for the Explorers.
Then sophomore Ryan Knott took the mound and kept LaSalle at bay. Knott pitched 3.1 hitless innings to protect the Duke lead and then handed the ball off to Hassan, who struck out three in the ninth inning for his first save of the season.
Continuing the trend, the Blue Devils got off to an early lead in the Sunday finale and shut the door on the Explorers. The offense managed to score 11 runs and the pitching staff kept LaSalle to only one late run. Junior Will Currier threw 5.0 scoreless innings and preserved the streak of impressive pitching outings over the weekend.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.