CARY, N.C. - Duke got an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth and two Blue Devil pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout as UNC Greensboro fell to the Blue Devils, 1-0, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex on Wednesday evening. The teams combined for just nine hits in a game that lasted just one hour and 53 minutes.
Jonathan Foreman picked up the win for the Blue Devils (20-14) after pitching the final four innings and allowed just one hit, while striking out six. Duke starter Michael Ness also had a nice day as he pitched five innings and struck out three batters and gave up just three hits.
UNCG reliever Tyler Hollstegge was credited with the loss after allowing one run on just two hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Three other Spartan pitchers combined to allow only three hits and strike out four batters in 5 1/3 innings.
The Blue Devils were led by Marcus Stroman who went 2-4 and Jake Lemmerman who had an RBI single. Corey Overholtzer, Ed Jayjack, Zach Leach and Kris Richards recorded the lone hits for the Spartans (14-19).
The game started with a very scary moment for the Spartans in the top of the second inning. With Eric Brindle at-bat, a pitch from the Blue Devil pitcher got away from him and hit Brindle in the jaw. After a few moments on the ground, Brindle was able to walk off of the field on his own power, but was replaced in the game by John Cucchiarella due to his injury.
With neither team generating any offense early, UNCG was the first team to threaten as they had a pair of runners on in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Leach singled to left center and Richards followed with an infield single. It was all for naught though as the Blue Devils got UNCG to ground into an inning-ending fielder's choice.
After the teams were still scoreless and combined for just five hits over the first five innings, the Blue Devils were finally able to breakthrough with a run in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Joe Pedevillano delivered a single into shallow center field just past the reach of Cucchiarella.
He immediately stole second base on the first pitch and then swiped third base on the very next pitch. After a groundout to the pitcher, Jake Lemmerman hit a single to right field to score Pedevillano and give Duke a 1-0 lead.
UNCG wasn't able to generate anymore offense though as Jayjack's lone single in the top of the ninth was the only hit the Spartans could muster after the fifth inning.
The Spartans will continue their eight-game road stand this weekend as they head up the mountain to face Appalachian State for a three-game series. The first game between the two teams will be on Friday at 6 p.m.
AGATE
Duke 1, UNC Greensboro 0
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 000 000 - 0 4 0 (14-19)
Duke................ 000 001 00X - 1 5 0 (20-14)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Matt Parish; Tyler Hollstegge(4); Greg Smith(6); Warren Slack(8) and Ed Jayjack. Duke - Michael Ness; Jonathan Foreman(6) and Ryan Munger; Ryan McCurdy.
Win-Jonathan Foreman (2-0) Loss-Tyler Hollstegge (0-3) T-1:53 A-58
Weather: 54 and overcast
- UNCG -
