Gracia Breaks Freshman Home Run Record, Series No. 9 Duke Levels in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia – First-year student AJ Gracia put the nail in the coffin Saturday, breaking the freshman home run record in the top of the ninth inning, hitting a two-run home run to center field for his 12th of the season, to lift No. 9 Duke (34- 15). , 15-11 ACC), 14-10, against Georgia Tech (29-19, 13-13 ACC).

The Blue Devils opened the scoring for the second consecutive day Alex Pierre eliminated by the pitcher to score Ben Miller from the third, before the Yellow Jackets grabbed a sixth place from the Blue Devils at the end of the second round.

At the start of the fourth inning, Wallace Clark executed a two-out, two-strike approach, doubling over the wall in right field to clear the bases loaded and cut the deficit to two runs, 6-4. Georgia Tech added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, pushing the score line to 7-4, before Stone smashed his 37th career home run to right center field to tie the game. Logan Bravo followed with a solo home run to right center field, before Miller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, 9-7.

With the Blue Devils leading in the bottom of the seventh, 9-8, sophomore Gabriel Nard took to the top of the hill, blocking a pair of Jackets in scoring position to end the threat. Duke responded in the top of the eighth by scoring two runs, before Gracia extended the lead to 14-10 with a two-run homer to center field.

Diploma Charlie Beilenson entered the eighth inning and worked the final two frames on the mound, earning his 11th save of the season. He struck out five of the six batters he faced and went two hitless innings in relief.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN

• Alex Pierre opened the scoring in the top of the first inning by hitting the pitcher to score Ben Millerfrom the third, 1-0.
• Georgia Tech took the lead in the bottom of the second inning, 6-1.
• At the start of the fourth inning, Wallace Clark doubled off the wall in right field to score a Blue Devils three, 6-4.
• The Yellow Jackets increased their lead at the bottom of the fourth inning, 7-4.
• Stone hit a three-run homer to right center field in the top of the fifth inning. Logan Bravo hit a solo home run to right center field. Miller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, 9-7.
• Georgia Tech takes the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, 9-8.
• Bravo hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the sixth inning, 10-8.
• The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, 10-10.
• In the top of the eighth inning, Bravo doubled to right center to score AJ Gracia of the second. Devin Obee flew out to left field to score Bravo from third, 12-10.
• Gracia hit a two-run homer to center field in the top of the ninth inning, 14-10.

REMARKS

• Duke improved to 16-1 on the season and 7-1 in ACC play when scoring more than 10 points in a game.
• Senior Alex Pierre finished the day 2-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBIs. He scored his 10th of the season and 37th of his career, tying for third all-time with Scott Pinoni (1992-94). Stone’s multi-hit day was his 18th of the season.
• Diploma Logan Bravo On Saturday, he collected his second four-hit day of the season and his 16th multi-hit contest. He hit two home runs in the win, leading the team with 14. Bravo and Stone hit back-to-back blasts in the top of the fifth inning, as Duke scored five runs to regain the lead.
• In the fifth inning, Duke struck for the 17th time this season, scoring five runs in the frame. The Blue Devils also scored in five of the final six frames to even the series on Saturday.
• First-year student AJ Gracia broke the freshman home run record in the top of the ninth inning, putting the nail in the coffin with a two-run home run to center field. He passes Andrew Fischer (2023) who hit 11 home runs last season. Gracia finished the day 3-for-4 with four runs, two RBIs and two walks.
• Diploma Charlie Beilenson made his 11th save of the season, getting closer to James TallonThe single-season record of 12. Beilenson worked the final two innings, striking out five of the six batters he faced.
• The Blue Devils improved to 194-63 (.755) when scoring first and 211-45 (.824) when scoring more than three runs in an inning since 2016.
• Second year student Gabriel Nard improved to 2-2 this season, working one inning in relief and allowing two hits. He stranded two Yellow Jackets in scoring position in the seventh inning.

QUOTES

• “I’m incredibly proud of our team today. I challenged them to be the toughest version of themselves today and they certainly were. Getting up early and fighting to get back in the run was impressive The work of our infield defense, some huge double play runs there, in the seventh, when they only had the first and second out, then the second and third with one out, the work was done. been carried out. Gabriel Nard staying in the moment and executing throws against the best in their lineup is what won us the ball game. Charlie then comes in and does what Charlie does to end it. » – Head Coach Chris Pollard on his general thoughts on today’s match.

FOLLOWING

• Duke and Georgia Tech will complete the three-game series Sunday afternoon from Russ Chandler Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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