No. 19 N.C. State swept Duke this weekend in a three-game set at Doak Field in Cary, N.C, scoring eight runs in each of the last two games. The Blue Devils (16-29, 7-17 in the ACC) have now lost 12 of their last 15 games and have the fewest wins in the conference.
The Wolfpack began the series with a 4-0 shutout as Anthony Tzamtzis yielded just two hits in 7.2 innings, striking out nine Duke batters. Blue Devil ace Marcus Stroman allowed three runs in the first two innings, going the distance in a 10-strikeout effort. Stroman is now 4-4 for the year and leads Division I with 112 strikeouts.
In the second game, N.C. State left-hander Carlos Rodon improved to 8-0 on the season with his second complete game, leading the Wolfpack to an 8-3 win. Rodon yielded just five hits and one walk over the course of his nine-inning effort, whiffing 12 batters.
Duke scored its three runs in the sixth inning, capped off by a two-run home run from third baseman Jordan Betts, his third of the season. Blue Devil starter Trent Swart and relievers Sarkis Ohanian and Andrew Istler combined to allow the eight runs in their combined eight innings of duty before Nick Piscotty tossed a scoreless final frame.
Duke forfeited an early lead in the final game of the series, allowing N.C. State to score the final five runs of the game to win 8-7. In 5.2 innings, Robert Huber allowed seven runs, five of which were earned, with the Wolfpack sending four batters home in the sixth to tie the game.
But second baseman Logan Ratledge notched an RBI double in the 8th inning, sealing the game for N.C. State.
The Blue Devils have the next week off for final exams and return to action against Longwood next Sunday.
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