Tag: walk-off

WATCH: Duke softball’s wild 12th-inning walkoff over Virginia after fielding error

Duke outlasted Virginia in a 12-inning defensive battle, scoring the game’s only run after a bizarre defensive sequence from the Cavaliers.

There’s more than one way to win a softball game.

The No. 3 Blue Devils improved to 38-4 on the season after their 11th straight conference victory on Friday night, but the 1-0 win over Virginia looked a little different than most.

After a scoreless regulation, Duke and the Cavaliers needed nearly a complete second game of sudden death before a run crossed the plate.

However, in the bottom of the 12th, with runners on first and second and just one out on the board, Duke’s Jada Baker strode to the plate. Baker laid down a perfect bunt down the first-base line, forcing UVA pitcher Madison Harris to try and throw Baker out at first.

The throw got away from Harris, however, and second baseman Bella Cabral slipped trying to haul it in. The error let Duke senior Francesca Frelick make it all the way around to home for the game’s winning (and only) run.

Duke’s second game of the series starts on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Ben Miller’s two-out walk-off single gives Duke baseball the Friday win over Miami

Duke fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to take the first game from Miami on Friday night thanks to a walk-off single from Ben Miller.

Duke baseball got some ninth-inning heroics at Jack Coombs Field on Friday night.

The Blue Devils got to the plate in the bottom of the last inning with the game knotted at three runs apiece with Miami. An infield throwing error let catcher Alex Stone make it all the way around to second base. A sacrifice bunt put runners on the corners before Miami chose to walk centerfielder Devin Obee.

Suddenly, Duke had a runner on all three bases with no outs, the game-winning run just 90 feet from home.

The Miami defense bucked from there, however. Hurricanes pitcher Nick Robert struck out Tyler Albright and forced an infield ball that forced the Duke runner out at home.

Third baseman Ben Miller strode to the plate with the situation every baseball player dreams of growing up. Two outs, bases loaded, tie game. Miller stayed patient for a moment, working his way to a 1-1 count, before he roped a low line drive inches past Miami third baseman Daniel Cuvet’s glove.

The white ball glided harmlessly into left field for a two-out single and a series-opening victory over the Hurricanes.

The Blue Devils dugout charged the infield, mobbing the hero of the evening.

The walk-off win moved Duke to 22-8 on the season and 7-6 in ACC play. The second game of the series starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday.