Blue Devils Fall Twice on Opening Day to Nationally Ranked Competition

Thursday, February 9

Irvine, Calif.

1 p.m.

Duke University

Washington

Blue Devils Fall Twice on Opening Day to Nationally Ranked Competition

2/10/2023 2:48:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 BOX SCORE (WASHINGTON)BOX SCORE (OKLAHOMA)

IRVINE, Calif. – No. 16 Duke softball kicked off the 2023 season at the Mark Campbell Invitational on Thursday, facing No. 14 Washington and No. 1 Oklahoma on opening day.

The Blue Devils dropped a tight 4-3 decision to No. 14 Washington in the opening game, while staying competitive with two-time defending national champions Oklahoma before falling, 4-0, in the nightcap.

Juniors Jala Wright and Claire Davidson both earned starts in the circle. Wright opened the season against Washington, allowing four runs through six innings pitched. Davidson registered the start against Oklahoma, facing 23 batters through five innings, giving up three runs off six hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. NO. 14 WASHINGTON

The Washington Huskies were first to post a run in the top of the third inning after scoring a runner on a hard shot to center field.
Graduate student Deja Davis sparked the Blue Devils' offense in the bottom of the fourth with a hard-hit single up the right field line. Freshman Aminah Vega followed immediately after scoring Davis on an RBI double to even the score at one.
The Blue Devils took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth after sophomore Ana Gold reached on a single to left field and was brought in by redshirt-freshman Jada Baker.
Washington responded with a solo home run over the left field fence to tie the game up again at two. The Huskies score two more runs in their next three batters to stretch a 4-2 lead.
Senior Kamryn Jackson reached home in the bottom of the seventh but the Blue Devils were unable to close the gap before the Huskies put the third out away, claiming a 4-3 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. NO. 1 OKLAHOMA

After a scoreless first inning, No. 1 Oklahoma brought in the first run of the game off an RBI double in the bottom of the second.
Duke kept the Sooners close, allowing only two runs through four innings, while advancing runners into scoring position but couldn't quite reach the plate.
Oklahoma kept their offense consistent in the next three innings to shut out the Blue Devils, 4-0.

NOTES

The Blue Devils picked up their first opening day loss in six years of program history. Prior to this invitational, Duke held an 8-0 record against opponents faced in season-opening games.
Duke's offense was led by junior catcher Kelly Torres who finished the day 3-for-6, with two hits. Davis and senior Gisele Tapia also had two hits on the day.
Vega, Baker and Davis each helped to strengthen the Blue Devils offense, tallying one RBI apiece.
Freshman Cassidy Curd saw her first career action in the circle against Washington. Curd pitched for two innings and finished the day allowing one run off one hit.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils open day two of the invitational at 12 p.m. (ET) against San Jose State, followed by a matchup with Liberty at 5 p.m. (ET).

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