BC beckons in key ACC series

After a strong win over Davidson, Duke (13-7, 2-4 in the ACC) continues its second road stretch of the season with a three-game series against ACC opponent Boston College. Despite the Blue Devils’ solid overall record, a series against the relatively weak Eagles (7-12, 1-5 in the ACC) is a chance for Duke to improve its standing within the ultra-competitive ACC.

However, Eagles ace Pat Dean stands in the Blue Devils’ way. Dean is 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA on the season. He leads the Boston College pitching staff in almost every statistical category, including wins, ERA, opponents’ batting average and innings. Dean lifted Boston College to a shutout win over then-No. 13 Miami, a team that swept the Blue Devils in Durham, March 12.

Duke will need to continue to rely on its defense and smart base running to win ballgames. The Blue Devils are third in the ACC with a .977 fielding percentage and have been caught stealing only seven times in 38 attempts.

On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore Will Piwnica-Worms must continue to generate runs, especially with such a dominant force on the mound expected for the third game. Piwnica-Worms leads the team with 22 RBI and 20 runs scored.

Fortunately for the Blue Devils, the pitching matchups are less daunting for the first and second games of the series. The Eagles will start sophomores Taylor Lasko and Mike Dennhardt Friday and Saturday. Dennhardt has not been successful on the bump thus far, going 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA.

Duke will start junior Dennis O’Grady against Dean, while senior Christopher Manno and sophomore Eric Pfisterer will take on Lasko and Dennhardt. Manno has been dominant out of the bullpen so far this season with a 0.66 ERA, and he will be making his first start of the season.

Thus far, Duke has found more success at home than on the road, going 11-4 in the Durham area. At the beginning of the season, the Blue Devils struggled on a road trip to Texas, splitting two games with Georgia and losing two to Baylor.

This upcoming series is a chance for the Blue Devils to not only pick up much-needed ACC wins, but to prove to themselves that they can be consistent away from the friendly confines of Durham Bulls Athletic Park.