As we speed towards the start of football season and drool over what could happen for the Duke basketball team in Cameron Indoor Stadium starting in November, the Duke baseball team just received some major news of its own on Monday.
Ben Miller, a significant part of Duke’s team in 2024, announced Monday that he would return for one final season with the Duke team.
Let the get a job jokes commence… I’m back pic.twitter.com/uS1CMgpQbU
— Ben Miller (@benmiller1820) July 29, 2024
Miller is no stranger to Durham. He grew up there. Before Duke, Ben played collegiate baseball at an Ivy League school, Penn. He then transferred home to play his fourth year of college baseball. With one final year of eligibility, Miller decided to play at Duke for one more season instead of seeking professional opportunities. He started in all 55 games while leading the team in batting average with a .360 average at the plate. He scored 56 runs from the top of the lineup while tallying 82 hits, which included 18 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, and driving in 49 RBI for an explosive Duke offense.
Last year, he posted 13 two-hit days, six three-hit days, and one four-hit day. In short, he was a firestarter for Chris Pollard and the Duke team. At the end of the season, he was named All-ACC First Team Third Baseman and was a big force in the conference tournament as Duke clenched an ACC Tournament title.
Miller’s return can’t be overstated. It gives Duke leadership and instant offense and fills a significant hole in the infield that Duke could’ve struggled to fill.