Completed Event: Baseball versus Murray State on June 9, 2025 , Loss , 4, to, 5
/
Final
Baseball
4
vs Murray State
5
Game 2 of Fall World Series Suspended at 3-3
11/6/2020 10:20:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. – The Blue team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra innings on Friday night in the second game of Duke's Fall World Series.
Â
Unfortunately, due to timing, the game was suspended after seven innings and the two teams will resume play on Saturday prior to Game 3.
Â
"What a seesaw affair," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Once again we got great starting pitching from Luke Fox and Josh Nifong and really clutch two out hitting from both sides, Rudy Maxwell for Black and Joey Loperfido for Blue. A lot on the line when we pick up this suspended game in the top of the 8th tomorrow."
Â
The Blue team broke through first in the top of the fourth inning. With runners on first and second with two outs, graduate student Richard Brereton reached base on a throwing error which allowed senior Michael Rothenberg enough time to touch home plate for the game's opening run.
Â
The Black team quickly responded with three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the frame. Graduate student Chase Cheek and junior Ethan Murray found themselves on first and third, respectively, with two outs. Junior Rudy Maxwell then smacked a two-RBI double down the right field line to clear the bases. Sophomore Britt Fuller followed that up with a single to left field to again place runners on the corner after Maxwell advanced on the play. During the next at bat, Maxwell and Fuller attempted a double steal with Maxwell sliding home just before Fuller was tagged out between first and second.
Â
The Black squad held that 3-1 advantage for the next two innings until the Blue team sparked a two-out rally of their own in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Grant Norris started things off with a double to left field. Graduate student Erikson Nichols continue with a single to the shortstop to place runners on first and third after Norris advanced on the play. Junior Jake Topolski then brought Norris home with an RBI single up the middle. Senior Joey Loperfido tied the game during the ensuing at bat when he found a hole in right field to score Nichols and knot the score at 3-3.
Â
The Blue team looked as though they might walk things off in the bottom half of the frame when they loaded the bases with no outs. The Black team made some shifts and packed the infield by bringing Topolski in from left field. That move proved to pay off as relief pitcher Matt Dockman forced back-to-back ground balls before a fly out to end the inning.
Â
Both teams saw strong starting pitching on Friday night. Freshman Luke Fox went 5.0 innings for the Blue team allowing two hits and three runs, while senior Josh Nifong gave up five hits and just one unearned run in 4.0 innings of work.
Â
Alex Stone, Loperfido, and Nichols all finished with two hits for the Blue team with Loperfido and Topolski registering an RBI. Four different Blue Devils recorded a hit for the Black team, including Maxwell who finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run.
Â
The two teams return to the field Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Jack Coombs Field for the continuation of Friday night's game. Game 3 will kick off immediately after the conclusion of that contest.
Â
NOTE:Â Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Duke University protocols, fans will not be allowed inside the stadium.
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Â
Unfortunately, due to timing, the game was suspended after seven innings and the two teams will resume play on Saturday prior to Game 3.
Â
"What a seesaw affair," head coach Chris Pollard said. "Once again we got great starting pitching from Luke Fox and Josh Nifong and really clutch two out hitting from both sides, Rudy Maxwell for Black and Joey Loperfido for Blue. A lot on the line when we pick up this suspended game in the top of the 8th tomorrow."
Â
The Blue team broke through first in the top of the fourth inning. With runners on first and second with two outs, graduate student Richard Brereton reached base on a throwing error which allowed senior Michael Rothenberg enough time to touch home plate for the game's opening run.
Â
The Black team quickly responded with three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the frame. Graduate student Chase Cheek and junior Ethan Murray found themselves on first and third, respectively, with two outs. Junior Rudy Maxwell then smacked a two-RBI double down the right field line to clear the bases. Sophomore Britt Fuller followed that up with a single to left field to again place runners on the corner after Maxwell advanced on the play. During the next at bat, Maxwell and Fuller attempted a double steal with Maxwell sliding home just before Fuller was tagged out between first and second.
Â
The Black squad held that 3-1 advantage for the next two innings until the Blue team sparked a two-out rally of their own in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Grant Norris started things off with a double to left field. Graduate student Erikson Nichols continue with a single to the shortstop to place runners on first and third after Norris advanced on the play. Junior Jake Topolski then brought Norris home with an RBI single up the middle. Senior Joey Loperfido tied the game during the ensuing at bat when he found a hole in right field to score Nichols and knot the score at 3-3.
Â
The Blue team looked as though they might walk things off in the bottom half of the frame when they loaded the bases with no outs. The Black team made some shifts and packed the infield by bringing Topolski in from left field. That move proved to pay off as relief pitcher Matt Dockman forced back-to-back ground balls before a fly out to end the inning.
Â
Both teams saw strong starting pitching on Friday night. Freshman Luke Fox went 5.0 innings for the Blue team allowing two hits and three runs, while senior Josh Nifong gave up five hits and just one unearned run in 4.0 innings of work.
Â
Alex Stone, Loperfido, and Nichols all finished with two hits for the Blue team with Loperfido and Topolski registering an RBI. Four different Blue Devils recorded a hit for the Black team, including Maxwell who finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run.
Â
The two teams return to the field Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Jack Coombs Field for the continuation of Friday night's game. Game 3 will kick off immediately after the conclusion of that contest.
Â
NOTE:Â Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Duke University protocols, fans will not be allowed inside the stadium.
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
RHP/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
1B
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ BaseballDuke Baseball - Corey Muscara Opening Press Conference
Friday, June 27
Press Conference: Corey Muscara Introduction
Wednesday, June 25
Press Conference: Durham Super Regional Sunday
Sunday, June 08
Press Conference: Durham Super Regional Saturday
Saturday, June 07
