WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

BASEBALL: Duke Sweeps Iona In Double-Header

Feb 23, 2008

DURHAM, N.C. – Paced by a pair of 10-run outbursts and a solid debut by the pitching staff, the Duke baseball team swept Iona 10-2 and 10-0 in a double header Saturday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field.

Duke’s pitching staff, anchored by game one starter Andrew Wolcott and game two starter Will Currier, surrendered only 11 hits over the two-game spread, including a two-hit shutout in the nightcap. In only his second career start, Currier (1-0) went six full innings and held the Gaels scoreless on two hits to pick up the win. Wolcott (1-0) also earned the win in game one after contributing five innings of two-run baseball.

Duke’s bullpen allowed just two hits through seven shutout innings of work. Junior Kyle Butler, sophomore Michael Ness and freshman Dennis O’Grady all contributed two scoreless innings apiece, while senior Ron Causey closed out game two with another perfect inning to seal the sweep.

Duke’s offensive production was spread out across the entire lineup, as nine Blue Devils collected base hits on the day, while 10 crossed the plate and eight drove in at least one run.

Sophomore Jeremy Gould went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBI in the opener, while senior designated hitter Kyle Kreick contributed four RBI on a 2-for-4 performance in game one. Sophomore Gabriel Saade broke out with a home run in his first at bat of game two while also coming up safe in all three of his stolen base attempts on the day. Saade scored five total runs from the leadoff spot, including three in game two. Junior outfielder Tim Sherlock also overcame an 0-for-4 start in game one to go 3-for-4 in game two, while sophomore center fielder Alex Hassan finished 3-for-5 in game one and totaled three stolen bases on the day. Freshman shortstop Jake Lemmerman also got in on the action, knocking a pair of doubles in his collegiate debut.

Defensively, Duke was nearly air tight, committing just one error over 18 innings.