Duke fell behind by multiple runs without recording an out for the second straight game.
After chipping away at the deficit, the straw that broke the Fighting Camels' back was a go-ahead three-run double by seldom-used freshman Chris Crabtree.
Blue Devils will now have to win four straight games to keep their season alive and advance out of the Athens Regional.
Part of that excitement stems from upperclassmen that are hungry for another chance at the NCAA tournament following their regional loss in 2016.
Duke fell to Louisville in the ACC tournament, leaving the Blue Devils' bid to host an NCAA regional uncertain.
The Demon Deacons imploded during Duke's four-run 13th inning with two hit batters and two walks.
The team with the best record within the pool will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
In the regular season finale, Duke suffers a series loss against Georgia Tech just a week before the ACC Tournament.
The ninth-ranked Blue Devils picked up a crucial series win over No. 3 North Carolina at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
While Duke and North Carolina have been archrivals for more than 100 years, their rivalry on the field has rarely been competitive.
Bill Chillari retired the first nine batters he faced, and a four-run fourth inning gave the Blue Devils all the offense they needed.
After a full week off for exams, the Blue Devils showed no signs of rust and extended their winning streak to four in a row.
Gardner-Webb has already taken down North Carolina and Wake Forest this season.
No. 12 Duke outscored the Hokies 13-0 in the last 12 innings of the series to win the last two games.
The 12th-ranked Blue Devils (31-10, 13-7 in the ACC) will head to Blacksburg, Va., where Duke will do battle with Virginia Tech in a three-game series at English Field at Union Park. The teams will kick off the series Friday at 6 p.m. before taking the field once again Saturday and Sunday with first pitches coming at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.
After three tough home losses in a row, Duke finally made Jack Coombs Field feel like home again Sunday afternoon.
Strong performances by both teams' pitchers culminated in a close 2-1 N.C. State victory.
Halfway through their most anticipated week of the season, the Blue Devils are struggling to live up to the hype at home.
A battle for the top spot in the ACC will take place this weekend between No. 2 N.C. State and No. 8 Duke at Jack Coombs Field.
A series of miscues and misplays sent the Blue Devils to a disappointing defeat.
