ATLANTA (March 25) – Senior right-hander Brad DuPree forced Jason Basil to hit into a game-ending double play, and end a Georgia Tech rally on Saturday night, as Duke upset No. 14 Georgia Tech, 4-3, ending the Jackets’ nine-game winning streak.
The Blue Devils took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, before the Jackets’ rally began. Richard Lewis beat out an infield single to leadoff the ninth, before Mark Teixeira walked, leaving two on and no out. DuPree came on in relief of Duke starter Ryan Caradonna, and after a sacrifice bunt by Bryan Prince and intentional walk to Derik Goffena, Basil stepped to the plate. Basil grounded into a controversial double play, in which he was called out after Goffena interfered with Duke second baseman J.D. Alleva’s throw to first base.
Caradonna (3-4) worked eight innings, allowing three runs and eleven hits, before giving way to DuPree, who picked up his third save of the season.
Starting pitcher Ben Sheeter (0-2) took the loss for the Jackets, having allowed three runs and seven hits over his six innings of work.
Duke (10-20, 1-4 ACC) got on the board first, as an RBI single by Troy Caradonna in the first gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. Single runs in the fourth and fifth innings increased the Duke lead to 3-0.
The Jackets (18-7, 4-1 ACC) got within 3-2 in the fifth, as four consecutive two-out hits plated a pair of Tech runs. Each team scored once in the eighth, before Duke held on in the bottom of the ninth.
The two teams will conclude their three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.
