After a dominant sweep over Longwood during a Sunday doubleheader, the Blue Devils remained ninth in the USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll released on Monday.
Duke needed only 14 innings to dispatch the Lancers, defeating them by mercy rule in both games. The Blue Devils won the first game 23-3 before winning the second 11-1.
The rare off week from conference play meant Duke didn’t move any higher, although no team jumped the Blue Devils either. Tennessee shifted from third up to first, ending the reign of Texas A&M, who tumbled to second. Arkansas fell one spot to third, Clemson stayed fourth, and Kentucky leapt three spots to fifth.
The rankings set up some fascinating challenges for the Blue Devils ahead. East Carolina, who stayed at No. 6 in the rankings, will host Duke on Tuesday for an in-state battle. The countdown also continues for the season-ending series against North Carolina, who came in 11th in the rankings. The Tar Heels come to Durham from May 16-18.