Duke Opens 2024 Road to Omaha in Norman against UConn - Duke University (2024)

Baseball 5/30/2024 5:11:00 PM

DURHAM– Duke baseball (39-18) opens the 2024 Norman Regional on Friday afternoon, taking on No. 3 seed UConn (0-0) at 1 p.m. from L. Dale Mitchell Park. Friday marks the 11th NCAA Tournament appearance for the Blue Devils and second consecutive season being in the field.

The Blue Devils are 14-12 under head coachChris Pollardin the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Super Regionals in 2018, 2019 and 2023. Duke and UConn have never met in either sides program history.

FRIDAY (5/31)
Duke vs. UConn
1 p.m. (ET) – L. Dale Mitchell Park (Norman, Okla.)
VIDEO– ESPN+
Duke – LHP –Andrew Healy
UConn – RHP – Ian Cooke

No. 1 Seed Oklahoma

• The Sooners are making their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 41st in program history on Friday, as they host the Norman Regional at L. Dale Mitchell Park for the first time since 2010 and fourth overall. Skip Johnson looks to return to Omaha, Neb., for the first time since 2022, after failing to escape the Charlottesville Regional in 2023. Easton Carmichael leads the charge offensively with a .362 average at the plate in 56 games played. He has tallied 61 RBI and stolen 11 bags for the Sooners who have swiped 91 of the 115 attempts. Braden Davis and Kyson Witherspoon lead the team on the mound respectively, posting sub 4.35 ERA this season.

No. 3 Seed UConn

• The Huskies are making their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and 25th overall this weekend in Norman, after earning an at-large bid. Jim Penders' team rolled through the Big East this season, posting a 17-4 record, before being swept in the conference tournament last week. Offensively, Korey Morton leads the charge with a .318 average at the plate and 18 stolen bases. The Huskies love to tear it up on the bases, swiping 79 of the 106 attempts. On the mound, Stephen Quigley and Garrett Coe have tallied 88-plus innings on the mound and posted sub 4.55 ERA.

No. 4 Seed Oral Roberts

• Six-time Summit League Coach of the Year and 2023 NCBW Coach of the Year, Ryan Folmar, has the Golden Eagles back in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. After a slow start to the season, following the program's second appearance in Omaha and second since 1978, the Golden Eagles were able to sweep the Summit League Tournament, defeating North Dakota State and Northern Colorado twice to punch its ticket to the big dance. At the plate, Holden Breeze leads the charge for ORU, posting a .353 average in 55 games. The Golden Eagles are a terror on the basepaths, swiping 60 of the 77 attempts this season, while Jakob Hall leads the team on the mound with a 3.71 ERA in 102 innings of work.

QUICK HITS

• For the 11th time in program history and sixth under head coachChris Pollard, Duke returns to the NCAA Tournament. The six regional appearances and three super regionals are the most in program history, as Pollard continues to re-write the record books at Duke.
• The Blue Devils continue to pounce on opponents like they did throughout the season in 2023. Duke has recorded 305 of its 491 runs so far this season from the fourth to eighth innings. That number accounts for 62.1% of the Blue Devils' run production.
• GraduateZac Morrisleads the team with 30 two-out RBI this year, as Duke has tallied 146 as a collective unit. That mark accounts for 29.7% of Duke's scoring.
• Senior catcherAlex Stoneclimbed into third all-time on the career home run list for Duke, hitting his 40th home run in a Blue Devils' uniform on Saturday against Miami. Stone passedScott Pinoni(1992-94) with 37 on the career home runs list. The record was set byNate Frieman(2006-09) who crushed 43 home runs in a Duke uniform.
• JuniorWallace Clarkmoved into second all-time in a single season with his 23rd and 24th hit by pitch on Sunday against Florida State. The mark pushed him pastRyan McCurdy(2010), who was hit by 22 pitches in 2010. The single season record was also set by McCurdy in 2008 with 27 hit by pitches.
• Duke baseball collected the program's second tournament title on Sunday in Charlotte, running away from Florida State, 16-4, in the championship game. It marked the first ACC Championship since 2021 and second in the Queen City. In three tournaments held in Charlotte, N.C., the Blue Devils have posted an 8-0 record and taken home two ACC titles at Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights.

For more information on Duke baseball, follow the Blue Devils onTwitter,FacebookandInstagramby searching for "DukeBASE".

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit100.duke.edu

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