Kavel’s Walk-Off Hit Secures 4-3 Victory

Thursday, April 22

Durham, N.C.

5 p.m.

Duke University

North Carolina

Kavel’s Walk-Off Hit Secures 4-3 Victory

4/22/2021 8:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – In a back-and-forth affair, senior Jameson Kavel hit a two-run single to push No. 22 Duke past North Carolina in walk-off fashion, 4-3, Thursday evening at the Duke Softball Stadium.

The Blue Devils (31-10, 19-10 ACC) were led offensively by seniors Kavel and Rachel Crabtree with two hits and two RBIs apiece as Duke edged North Carolina (12-20, 8-14) in hits, 9-6. Junior Shelby Walters garnered her 13th win of the season, improving to 13-3, in a complete game in which she tallied five strikeouts.

Duke opened the scoring in the second inning as Crabtree used an RBI double to plate sophomore Kamryn Jackson, who singled up the middle, and give the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage.

North Carolina responded in the top half of the third as a two-run double put the Tar Heels ahead, 2-1, until Duke knotted the contest at 2-2 in the fourth.

Senior Sydney Bolan opened Duke's three-hit fourth frame with a double to the wall in right center. Crabtree collected her second hit of the game with an RBI single down the left field line to tie the ballgame. Junior Kyla Morris used her speed to beat out the throw at first in the next at bat, but a pop up would end the inning (2-2).

The Tar Heels began the fifth with a leadoff single and scored the go-ahead run on a double to left center (3-2). Following a scoreless sixth, Walters retired North Carolina's side in the top of the seventh and set Duke up for a rally in the home half.

Junior Caroline Jacobsen pinch hit to open the side, capitalizing on her opportunity with a single down the left field line. After Morris returned to run at first, she advanced to second as junior Deja Davis reached on a single to the pitcher. Sophomore Gisele Tapia laid down a stellar sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position for Kavel. The veteran stepped up to the plate and ripped a shot up the middle for a two-run walk-off single as Duke won, 4-3.

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels continue their series tomorrow with a doubleheader, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Duke Softball Stadium. Both games will be available to watch on ACC Network Extra.

Notables

With four runs, Duke broke its single-season runs record of 207 in 2019. The Blue Devils have scored 210 and counting.
Duke is eight stolen bases shy of tying its season stolen base record (69, 2019), eight doubles shy of tying the season record (73, 2018) and nine RBIs shy of tying the season record (186, 2019).

#GoDuke