North Carolina helped Duke win a baseball game on Thursday night.
No, the Blue Devils didn’t need much assistance in an 8-1 drumming of NC State that clinched a spot in the conference tournament semifinals, but every little bit counts.
In the top of the sixth inning, centerfielder Devin Obee hit an absolute rocket into left-center that looked like it bounced off the very top of the wall, inches from a two-run homer. The ruling was later reversed when replay showed the ball hit the fencing on top of the wall, making it a home run.
Obee said after the game that some members of the Duke dugout overheard some fans insisting that the ball should have been ruled a homer, which prompted Duke to ask for a review. He couldn’t believe who was arguing in his defense.
“Once I got out there, I found out it was the UNC baseball team,” Obee said.
Duke head coach Chris Pollard shared his amusement at the circumstances.
“The Tobacco Road rivalry for you right there,” Pollard said. “An assist from the Carolina baseball team.”
How does that saying go?
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer… yeah, that one.
Thanks, @DiamondHeels 🤝 https://t.co/cdcslYBKBq pic.twitter.com/3jkFjTGc6k
— Duke Baseball (@DukeBASE) May 24, 2024
The Blue Devils play Miami in the semifinals on Saturday.