In a thrilling finish, Duke's Kaden Smith delivered a walk-off three-run homer to left field, sealing a 9-8 victory over East Carolina on Tuesday. This win marks Duke's fourth consecutive triumph over the Pirates, a first in the program’s history.
Smith, a standout transfer from Charleston Southern, had a stellar day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and falling just a triple short of the cycle. His clutch performance in the ninth inning has become something of a habit, following a game-tying single against Virginia Tech just days earlier. This marks his second walk-off of the season, the first being a decisive single against Notre Dame earlier this month.
Contributions came from all corners of the lineup. RJ Hamilton launched a massive two-run homer, his second of the season, while Matthew Strand showcased his speed with a triple that brought in two runs. Caleb Anderson earned the win with a strong showing on the mound, allowing just one hit and striking out four in 2.1 innings.
How It Happened
Duke wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Kaden Smith singled in the first inning and was driven home by Collin Anderson’s RBI single, giving Duke an early 1-0 lead.
East Carolina responded in the third with an RBI groundout to level the score. However, Duke quickly reclaimed the lead as RJ Hamilton smashed a two-run shot to center field.
East Carolina surged ahead in the fourth inning with a bases-loaded double and added another run in the fifth, taking a 5-3 lead. Smith's double in the sixth set up Coltin Quagliano’s RBI single, narrowing the gap to one.
The Pirates extended their lead to 8-4 in the seventh, but Duke wasn't finished. Strand's two-RBI triple brought the Blue Devils within two runs. Caleb Anderson's steady pitching in the eighth and ninth innings set the stage for the dramatic finish.
In the bottom of the ninth, Brooks Perez drew a walk and advanced on a wild pitch. Tyler Albright's single moved Perez to third, setting the scene for Smith. On the first pitch, Smith launched the game-winning homer over the bullpen, clinching the victory for Duke.
Up Next
Duke (17-10, 4-5 ACC) hits the road to face No. 10 Florida State (19-4, 5-1 ACC) in a weekend series from March 27-29. The series kicks off Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday game on ACC Network at 2 p.m., and concludes with a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.