LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bouncing back from a game one setback, the No. 21 Duke softball team swept the Saturday doubleheader against Louisville at Ulmer Stadium.
The Blue Devils (29-10, 17-10 ACC) picked up a 9-1 five-inning victory in the first contest and held onto a 5-4 win in game two versus the Cardinals (16-19, 10-14). With the pair of wins, Duke is one away from breaking its season wins record of 29 from 2018.
Duke was led by sophomore Kamryn Jackson and senior Jameson Kavel with three hits apiece, while four Blue Devils recorded two hits on the day.
Game 1: Duke 9, Louisville 1 (5)
The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead with a five-run third inning. Freshman Kelly Torres got the bats going with a hit just over the third baseman and junior Deja Davis walked. Kavel and sophomore Gisele Tapia garnered back-to-back RBI singles, while junior Caroline Jacobsen reached on an infield single as two runners scored on Louisville errors. A double by Jackson plated Duke's final run of the frame (5-0).
Louisville doubled down the left field line to start the bottom half of the inning and scored its lone run with an RBI single (5-1).
Senior Sydney Bolan opened the fourth with a leadoff single up the middle and senior Kendyl Lange entered to pinch run. Torres and Lange were safe on a fielder's choice as Lange took third on a throwing error. Duke took advantage of two more Cardinals' misplays to tack on a pair of runs (7-1).
The Blue Devils added two more in the fifth as Torres sent a two-run double to left field, bringing home Jacobsen and Jackson who singled (9-1). The trio's hits were their second of the game.
Walters collected her 12th victory (12-3) of the year after a two-hit 4.1 innings appearance with two punchouts. Butler threw 0.2 frames in which she struck out one Cardinal batter.
Game 2: Duke 5, Louisville 4
Duke started hot offensively, recording three runs on four hits in the first frame. Davis and Kavel garnered back-to-back doubles to open the game, while Jackson and junior Kristina Foreman singled to put the Blue Devils ahead, 3-0.
Both teams added runs in the fourth as Duke tacked on two and Louisville had three. The Blue Devils were led off by a double from Foreman, who eventually scored on a wild pitch. A ripped shot to second base by Davis brought home a run to put Duke ahead, 5-0. The Cardinals' plated three on an RBI single and two-run home runs (5-3).
Following a leadoff triple in the bottom of the seventh, Louisville made it a 5-4 game with an RBI single. St. George entered the contest and let up a walk before striking out the final Cardinal batter.
Walters earned the start in the circle and tossed three scoreless innings in which she allowed just one hit. Butler collected six strikeouts in 3.2 frames en route to the fourth victory (4-1) of her senior campaign, while St. George garnered her second save of 2021 after facing two batters.
Notables
Bolan made her first career start at first base in game one.
Duke's nine runs were the most since its 11-0 five-inning win against Syracuse on March 20.
With the doubleheader sweep, Duke tied its season wins record with 29 from 2018.
Duke looks to secure the series win tomorrow with game four at 12 p.m. Sunday's contest will be available to watch on ACC Network Extra.
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