Duke Falls to Stanford, 3-1, in Game One of NCAA Super Regionals

Friday, May 26

Durham, N.C.

12 p.m.

Duke University

Stanford

44-13

Stanford

Duke

Duke Falls to Stanford, 3-1, in Game One of NCAA Super Regionals

5/26/2023 5:03:00 PM | Softball

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DURHAM – Eighth-ranked Duke fell, 3-1, to ninth-seeded Stanford in the first game of the NCAA Super Regionals at Duke Softball Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Freshman Aminah Vega recorded an RBI-single in the bottom of the first to hand Duke (48-11) an early 1-0 edge. The Blue Devils held strong for the next three innings, keeping the Cardinal (44-13) hitless and scoreless until the visitors used a late-game rally in the fifth and sixth to pull in front, 3-1. Stanford then retired nine of the final 10 batters to secure the comeback win.

Rookie Cassidy Curd was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits in 5.2 innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Vega quickly put the Blue Devils in front with an RBI-single up the middle to plate graduate student Deja Davis, who reached base on a one-out single up the middle.
The next three frames became a pitcher's duel between Curd and Stanford's NiJarre Canady combining for nine strikeouts.
Stanford generated a rally in the top of the fifth when Kaitlyn Lim ripped a two-RBI double to left center field to give the Cardinal a 2-1 lead.
The Cardinal then added one final run in the top of the sixth after Aly Kaneshiro's double through the right side scored Ellee Eck, stretching the lead to 3-1.
Junior Claire Davidson attempted to spark a rally for Duke in the bottom of the seventh when she led off with double to centerfield. Unfortunately, Canady sat down the final three batters to preserve the win.

NOTES

Curd's no-hit bid was broken up in the top of the fifth inning.
The rookie was pinned with her second loss of the year, shifting her season ledger to 18-2.
Curd added six strikeouts to increase her season total to 159.
Vega tallied her 50th RBI this season.
Davidson notched her 15th double of the season to tie her with Davis for the team lead.
Junior Lillie Walker made her 27th appearance in the circle, tossing 1.1 hitless innings with one strikeout.

QUOTES

"I think if we just go back to our experiences in the ACC, we've been here before in dropping the first game in a three-game series, being able to respond and still come out on top – that's what we're hoping to do." – Duke head coach Marissa Young
"My adrenaline is pumping, and I say all the time in my head it's my nine vs. your one, and my money's on my nine every single time. I think we fell short today but we're going to come back punching tomorrow and in my head I'm only worried about us, and the girls that are on the field." – Freshman Cassidy Curd

UP NEXT
Game two of the NCAA Super Regionals is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Duke Softball Stadium, weather permitting.

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