DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Blue Devils defeated No. 11 Virginia Tech 5-2 Saturday afternoon at Smith Family Stadium, securing their second ACC series victory of the season. Duke’s overall record improves to 18-9, and they remain undefeated in league play at 5-0, while Virginia Tech falls to 22-4 and 0-2 in conference action.
Key Performances
Redshirt freshman Ava Bradshaw was credited with the win in the circle, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings of relief. She scattered five hits and allowed two walks, recording one strikeout, and now holds a 3-1 record for the season. Senior D’Auna Jennings and redshirt junior Kairi Rodriguez each had two hits during the game.
How the Game Unfolded
Duke jumped to an early lead in the first inning. Jennings led off with a double, followed by a base hit from Aminah Vega. Tyrina Jones then singled to bring Vega home, and Jayla Stafford added a sacrifice fly to score Layla Lamar. Kairi Rodriguez capped off the inning with a double, extending Duke’s lead to 4-0.
Virginia Tech narrowed the gap in the second inning with a two-RBI single from Haley Luginbill, making the score 4-2. Jennings extended Duke’s lead to 5-2 in the fourth inning with a base hit that scored Ariel Krueger.
In the top of the seventh, Virginia Tech threatened a comeback, loading the bases with two outs. However, Duke secured the final out on a groundout to second base, preventing the tying run from scoring.
Sophomore Mallory Wheeler started the game in the circle, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing two runs off four hits.
Looking Ahead
The Blue Devils and Hokies will conclude their three-game series Sunday evening at 6 p.m., with the game broadcast on ACC Network. A Duke victory could cement their position as a top contender in the ACC, while a Virginia Tech win could potentially split the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ava Bradshaw perform in the game?
Ava Bradshaw was credited with the win, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings of relief, scattering five hits and allowing two walks with one strikeout.
Who led Duke’s offense?
D’Auna Jennings and Kairi Rodriguez each batted 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively, pacing the Duke offense.
What is Duke’s record in ACC play?
Duke remains undefeated in league play with a record of 5-0.
With this series win, what does this say about the trajectory of Duke’s softball program this season?
