Oschell slams the door, Duke advances to Regional Championship

CONWAY, S.C. – Graduate student Damon Lux drove in Giovanni DiGiacomo in the top of the ninth inning, before sophomore Fran Oschell III slammed the door, as Duke (37-21) defeated Rider (36-20), 2-1 on Saturday.

Oschell III improved to 5-0 on the season, working the final two innings of the game, striking out four batters and not allowing a hit. The Blue Devils advanced to the Conway Regional Championship on Sunday evening, with a chance to advance to the Super Regionals with a win.



HOW IT HAPPENED

Junior Jay Beshears hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning, 1-0.

Rider ties the ballgame in the bottom of the sixth inning, 1-1.

Graduate student Damon Lux hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the top of the ninth inning, scoring Giovanni DiGiacomo from third, 2-1.

NOTES

Junior Jay Beshears made his 100th career start on Saturday afternoon against Rider. He opened his 100th career start with a solo home run in the top of the first inning.

Freshman Andrew Healy made his return to the mound for the first time since May 13 against Georgia Tech, working two innings of two-hit baseball.

Graduate transfer Charlie Beilenson tied the single season record with his 35th appearance on Saturday.

Sophomore Fran Oschell III improved to 5-0 on the season, working the final two innings of play, striking out four batters.

The Blue Devils improved to 12-9 in regional action under head coach Chris Pollard, defeating Rider 2-1 on Saturday evening, to advance to the Conway Regional Championship.

QUOTES

"That was an unbelievable baseball game against a really good team. They are well coached, tough and have veteran guys. The moment doesn't get too big for them, and we knew it before we played them tonight. We played them twice in the regular season and they gave us all we could handle and more. We had to fight until the last pitch, but I thought our guys were tough too." – Head coach Chris Pollard on the win tonight.

"The two moments are polar opposites. It is a rewarding feeling and I have a lot of great people in my corner. A lot of hard work went into it, but it feels a lot better to be pitching in moments like this than in the past." – Sophomore Fran Oschell III on going from a limited role last season to the main bullpen piece.

"In the situation, I was just trying to get something far enough into the outfield to where he could tag up and score. With Gio on third, it wasn't going to be difficult to get something deep enough. I wanted to do it as early as possible to avoid being in a pitchers count. I got an elevated fastball and was able to drive it deep enough for Gio to score." – Graduate student Damon Lux on his game winning RBI Saturday.

UP NEXT

Duke awaits the winner of Sunday afternoon's elimination game at Springs Brooks Stadium. The Blue Devils will face either Rider or Coastal Carolina for a chance to advance to Super Regionals.