Multiple Blue Devils recognized on All-ACC baseball teams, including 4 First-Team selections

Ahead of the ACC tournament later this week, some Blue Devils are already taking home some hardware.

Seven Duke players were selected to All-ACC teams Monday, including four to the First Team. Graduate relief pitcher Charlie Beilenson, graduate third baseman Ben Miller, graduate second baseman Zac Morris and junior starting pitcher Jonathan Santucci all made the First Team, while senior catcher Alex Stone made the Second Team, freshman right fielder AJ Gracia made the Third Team and Freshman Team and freshman two-way player Kyle Johnson made the Freshman Team.

Beilenson has anchored the Blue Devils’ bullpen this season, posting a 1.88 ERA in an impressive 52.2 innings of relief. The right-hander notched a league-high 11 saves while striking out 78 batters. Often coming into the game for multiple innings, Beilenson provided consistency and excellence for head coach Chris Pollard.

Miller and Morris anchor the top of the lineup for Duke, as they have hit first and second for the vast majority of the year. In addition to their team-high batting averages of .383 and .335, respectively, Miller and Morris each hit over 10 home runs. Both also came to Durham this year as transfers — Miller from Penn and Morris from Virginia Military Institute.

The final member of the First Team, Santucci, has been one of the best starters in the country all season. The southpaw features an arsenal of top-end pitches which powered him to a team-high 86 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. He also held opponents to just a .189 batting average, the second best in the ACC among qualified pitchers. Santucci suffered a rib injury prior to the team’s series against Georgia Tech, but will aim to be back in time for the postseason.

Stone and Gracia each provided pop in the heart of Duke’s order. While he did not get off to an ideal start, Stone came alive in the back half of the regular season. The captain hit a home run in each of three games against the Yellow Jackets to bring his season total to 11. Gracia was not shy of the long ball himself, as he set the program record for home runs by a freshman with 12. The rookie also set the program record for freshman RBIs, driving in 51.

Finally, Johnson gave the Pollard a weapon to use on both sides of the ball. As a pitcher, Johnson developed into a reliable No. 2 behind Santucci, racking up 46.1 innings pitched and 50 strikeouts. At the plate, Johnson swung .295 in 61 at bats. The rookie standout will be key for Duke's playoff hopes moving forward, especially in a Regional or Super Regional format.

After a tough end to the regular season, the Blue Devils will look to make a splash in the ACC tournament beginning Tuesday. No. 6-seed Duke will face Virginia Tech and N.C. State in pool play