Completed Event: Baseball versus Murray State on June 9, 2025 , Loss , 4, to, 5
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Final
Baseball
4
vs Murray State
5
Friday, April 23
Charlottesville, Va.
4 P.M.
Duke University
at
Virginia
Duke Prepped for ACC Series at Virginia
4/22/2021 4:50:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM – The Duke baseball team hits the road again this weekend as the Blue Devils travel to Virginia for a three-game ACC series this weekend at Disharoon Park in Charlottesville, Va.
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FIRST PITCH
HOW TO FOLLOW
Friday and Saturday's games will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra. Sunday's game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Gaby Sanchez on the call. Chris Edwards has the call for all three games on the Blue Devil Sports Network from Learfield IMG College and will be available on GoDuke.com or the TuneIn app.
Friday, 4 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Saturday, 4 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Sunday, 2 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
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SERIES HISTORY
Duke and Virginia meet for the 173rd time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 1906. Duke trails the all-time series 64-107-1 with a 21-62 mark in Charlottesville. In the last five seasons, Duke is 8-7 against the Cavaliers and have won the last two series between the two clubs. Most recently in 2019, Duke took two of three after dropping game one at Virginia. Virginia is one of Duke's oldest opponents, as the series is the fifth-most played series in Duke baseball history. Duke head coach Chris Pollard holds a 9-13 record against the Cavaliers, with an 8-13 mark coming during his time at Duke.
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SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
After dropping its first five ACC series of the season, Virginia has taken two of the three most recent series. The Cavaliers hold series wins over Georgia Tech and Clemson. Most recently on the field, Virginia dropped the series against No. 7 Louisville after winning in extra innings in game one. The Cavaliers are a game behind Duke in the ACC standings, making this series important for both sides. Virginia's pitching staff is one of the top in the conference in terms of strikeouts, boasting 362 and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Individually, Zack Gelof leads the Cavaliers in runs (26), hits (38), RBIs (23) and walks (19). Virginia's ace Andrew Abbott leads the club in innings pitched (53.2) and strikeouts (77), while averaging 1.43 strikeouts per innings.
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ROTHENBERG APPROACHING RECORD BOOKS
Senior Michael Rothenberg is currently tied for 19th in program history in home runs with 18. He is also nearing the top-25 charts in school history in walks and RBIs. The Boca Raton, Fla., native has 77 career walks, nearing Luis Duarte's 86 from 1992-95 that ranks 25th. His 108 career RBIs are approaching JD Alleva (1998-01) and Jeff Piscorik (1992-95) who tie for 25th in school history with 122.
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DUKE CONTINUES K'S 4 KIDS' CANCER
Duke baseball announced the renewal of the K's 4 Kids' Cancer campaign, which is now in its third season with the team. Fans can help Duke baseball strikeout children's cancer by making a pledge for every strikeout that Blue Devil pitchers rack up this season. In just two years, the campaign has raised over $25,000 and all funds go directly to support cancer research and patient care at Duke Children's Hospital.
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DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Blue Devils are currently among the conference leaders in doubles (76 - first in the ACC, eighth nationally) and doubles per game (2.30 - leads the ACC, ninth nationally). Senior Michael Rothenberg ranks fourth in the ACC with 11 doubles so far this season. Senior Joey Loperfido holds 10 to tie for eighth in the conference while junior Ethan Murray boasts nine.
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WELCOME TO K-VILLE
The Blue Devil pitching staff has ascended to new heights over the past three seasons, shattering the school's single-season strikeout record in 2018 and 2019. Last season, the Blue Devils' 11.51 strikeouts per nine innings would have set a program record through a full season and ranked 16th nationally when the season was canceled. This season, Duke is continuing to strike out batters at record rates, fanning 328 batters in just 292.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Henry Williams leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched this season.
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Duke season strikeout totals (Team records)
Rank     K/9       Strikeouts        Season  Â
1.          9.72          598               2019
2.          9.12          575               2018
             11.51       183               2020*
             10.09       328               2021
*Season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic
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STARTING GAMES STRONG
This season, Duke has jumped out on its opponents in the opening four innings of games. The Blue Devils hold a +45 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 119-70.
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Duke Run Differential By Inning
First      Second    Third      Fourth
23-15 Â Â Â Â Â 30-27 Â Â Â Â Â 25-21 Â Â Â Â Â 41-7
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JOHNSON CLOSING FOR DUKE
Sophomore Marcus Johnson has emerged as Duke's go-to closer during the 2021 season. The Fontana, Calif., native has shown excellent control and pounded the strike zone, totaling 31 strikeouts to just five walks in 30.2 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.2. Against Wake Forest, Johnson pitched the final two innings on Saturday before closing and earning the win in three innings on Sunday, striking out eight of the minimum 15 batters faced in the combined five-inning showing. Johnson's 2.93 ERA leads the team for pitchers that have thrown at least eight innings.
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MATT, LOPERFIDO RECORD CAREER HIT NO. 150
Senior Joey Loperfido registered his 150th career hit with a double against NC Central on April 6. Graduate Peter Matt recorded his 150th career hit at Notre Dame on March 19. His 175 career hits current rank in the top 120 career leaders while Loperfido's 163 hits rank in the top 170 in the category in Division I. Prior to Duke, Matt played four seasons at Penn.
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#GoDuke
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FIRST PITCH
- Duke (17-16, 8-13 ACC) travels to Virginia (17-18, 9-15 ACC) on Friday for a three-game ACC series over the weekend.
- First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Friday's first pitched was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. but shifted to 4 p.m. due to expected inclement weather over the weekend.
- The Blue Devils rank first in the ACC in doubles (76) and doubles per game (2.30). Senior Michael Rothenberg ties for fourth in the ACC this season with 11. Classmate Joey Loperfido ties to rank eighth in the conference with 10.
- Graduate student Chase Cheek recorded his 100th career hit against Wake Forest on April 18. Cheek is one of six Blue Devils on the current roster to boast triple-digit career hits.
- Duke and Virginia meet 173rd time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 1906. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series, 107-64-1, including a 62-21 mark in Charlottesville.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Friday and Saturday's games will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra. Sunday's game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Gaby Sanchez on the call. Chris Edwards has the call for all three games on the Blue Devil Sports Network from Learfield IMG College and will be available on GoDuke.com or the TuneIn app.
Friday, 4 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Saturday, 4 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
Sunday, 2 p.m. – TuneIn – Live Stats – Watch
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SERIES HISTORY
Duke and Virginia meet for the 173rd time in the two programs' histories, dating back to 1906. Duke trails the all-time series 64-107-1 with a 21-62 mark in Charlottesville. In the last five seasons, Duke is 8-7 against the Cavaliers and have won the last two series between the two clubs. Most recently in 2019, Duke took two of three after dropping game one at Virginia. Virginia is one of Duke's oldest opponents, as the series is the fifth-most played series in Duke baseball history. Duke head coach Chris Pollard holds a 9-13 record against the Cavaliers, with an 8-13 mark coming during his time at Duke.
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SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
After dropping its first five ACC series of the season, Virginia has taken two of the three most recent series. The Cavaliers hold series wins over Georgia Tech and Clemson. Most recently on the field, Virginia dropped the series against No. 7 Louisville after winning in extra innings in game one. The Cavaliers are a game behind Duke in the ACC standings, making this series important for both sides. Virginia's pitching staff is one of the top in the conference in terms of strikeouts, boasting 362 and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Individually, Zack Gelof leads the Cavaliers in runs (26), hits (38), RBIs (23) and walks (19). Virginia's ace Andrew Abbott leads the club in innings pitched (53.2) and strikeouts (77), while averaging 1.43 strikeouts per innings.
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ROTHENBERG APPROACHING RECORD BOOKS
Senior Michael Rothenberg is currently tied for 19th in program history in home runs with 18. He is also nearing the top-25 charts in school history in walks and RBIs. The Boca Raton, Fla., native has 77 career walks, nearing Luis Duarte's 86 from 1992-95 that ranks 25th. His 108 career RBIs are approaching JD Alleva (1998-01) and Jeff Piscorik (1992-95) who tie for 25th in school history with 122.
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DUKE CONTINUES K'S 4 KIDS' CANCER
Duke baseball announced the renewal of the K's 4 Kids' Cancer campaign, which is now in its third season with the team. Fans can help Duke baseball strikeout children's cancer by making a pledge for every strikeout that Blue Devil pitchers rack up this season. In just two years, the campaign has raised over $25,000 and all funds go directly to support cancer research and patient care at Duke Children's Hospital.
Â
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Blue Devils are currently among the conference leaders in doubles (76 - first in the ACC, eighth nationally) and doubles per game (2.30 - leads the ACC, ninth nationally). Senior Michael Rothenberg ranks fourth in the ACC with 11 doubles so far this season. Senior Joey Loperfido holds 10 to tie for eighth in the conference while junior Ethan Murray boasts nine.
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WELCOME TO K-VILLE
The Blue Devil pitching staff has ascended to new heights over the past three seasons, shattering the school's single-season strikeout record in 2018 and 2019. Last season, the Blue Devils' 11.51 strikeouts per nine innings would have set a program record through a full season and ranked 16th nationally when the season was canceled. This season, Duke is continuing to strike out batters at record rates, fanning 328 batters in just 292.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Henry Williams leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched this season.
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Duke season strikeout totals (Team records)
Rank     K/9       Strikeouts        Season  Â
1.          9.72          598               2019
2.          9.12          575               2018
             11.51       183               2020*
             10.09       328               2021
*Season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic
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STARTING GAMES STRONG
This season, Duke has jumped out on its opponents in the opening four innings of games. The Blue Devils hold a +45 run differential in the first four innings, out-scoring opponents, 119-70.
Â
Duke Run Differential By Inning
First      Second    Third      Fourth
23-15 Â Â Â Â Â 30-27 Â Â Â Â Â 25-21 Â Â Â Â Â 41-7
Â
JOHNSON CLOSING FOR DUKE
Sophomore Marcus Johnson has emerged as Duke's go-to closer during the 2021 season. The Fontana, Calif., native has shown excellent control and pounded the strike zone, totaling 31 strikeouts to just five walks in 30.2 innings pitched for a team-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.2. Against Wake Forest, Johnson pitched the final two innings on Saturday before closing and earning the win in three innings on Sunday, striking out eight of the minimum 15 batters faced in the combined five-inning showing. Johnson's 2.93 ERA leads the team for pitchers that have thrown at least eight innings.
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MATT, LOPERFIDO RECORD CAREER HIT NO. 150
Senior Joey Loperfido registered his 150th career hit with a double against NC Central on April 6. Graduate Peter Matt recorded his 150th career hit at Notre Dame on March 19. His 175 career hits current rank in the top 120 career leaders while Loperfido's 163 hits rank in the top 170 in the category in Division I. Prior to Duke, Matt played four seasons at Penn.
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#GoDuke
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