Duke's Dramatic Comeback: Blue Devils Edge Georgia Tech in Extra Innings Thriller
In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Duke softball orchestrated a remarkable comeback to edge out Georgia Tech, 14-13, in a nail-biting eight-inning showdown at Mewborn Field.
The Blue Devils, now boasting a 20-10 record and a strong 6-1 in ACC play, showcased resilience and determination, scoring in five different innings. Their pivotal four-run burst in the eighth inning sealed the victory against the Yellow Jackets, who now stand at 17-15 and 5-5 in the ACC.
Sophomore standout Layla Lamar was a force at the plate, going 3-for-4, while graduate student Tyrina Jones, senior D'Auna Jennings, and redshirt junior Kairi Rodriguez each contributed with two hits. Jones and Rodriguez were instrumental, driving in seven of Duke's 14 runs, underscoring their offensive prowess.
Mallory Wheeler, the sophomore pitcher, was a workhorse in the circle, pitching seven of the eight innings. She allowed six runs on six hits but also struck out a season-high six batters, marking her 100th career strikeout-a notable milestone.
Game Recap
Georgia Tech came out swinging, quickly putting two runs on the board with a home run in the first inning. But Duke's Jones responded in kind, launching a two-run homer in the second to level the score, bringing in Lamar who had singled.
The Yellow Jackets surged ahead with a powerful six-run inning, highlighted by Paige Vukadinovich's grand slam, giving them an 8-2 lead.
Duke's KK Mathis chipped away at the deficit with a two-run homer in the fourth, making it 8-4. However, Georgia Tech extended their lead again with homers from Gracyn Tucker and Addison Leschber, pushing the score to 10-4.
The Blue Devils began their comeback in earnest in the fifth inning. Redshirt junior Jessica Oakland smashed a three-run homer, narrowing the gap to 10-7.
In the seventh, Duke tied it up. With two runners in scoring position, Jones grounded out to bring one home, followed by an RBI single from Rodriguez. Freshman Adelyn Matthews delivered a clutch two-out hit to center, knotting the game at 10-10 and sending it to extra innings.
Duke carried that momentum into the eighth. After loading the bases due to singles and a Georgia Tech error, Mathis hit a sacrifice fly to put Duke ahead. Rodriguez then delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer, giving Duke a 14-10 lead.
Despite a late three-run homer from Georgia Tech's Tucker, Duke held on to clinch the thrilling win.
Key Takeaways
- Jones continues to shine with a team-high 11 home runs this season.
- Mathis and Rodriguez both hit their fourth homers of the year, while Oakland added her third.
- Rodriguez matched her career high with four RBIs in the game.
- Wheeler, making her 15th appearance, improved her record to 5-3.
- Duke outhit Georgia Tech 14-9, marking their 16th game with double-digit hits.
Looking Ahead
The Blue Devils and Yellow Jackets are set to continue their three-game series on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. Expect more fireworks as these two teams battle it out once again.