Box Score
Box Score   

DURHAM, N.C. – The Eagles struck early and first, but Duke University scored often and last as the Blue Devils defeated North Carolina Central University 12-1 at Jack Coombs Field on Wednesday evening.
 
The Eagles manufactured the first run of the game by way of redshirt senior Eric Kimber (Greensboro, N.C.) who was the starting pitcher and designated hitter for NCCU in the lineup.  He was then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Carlos Ortiz (Cleveland, Ohio), before stealing third and finally scoring on a wild pitch.
 
That was the only run scored for the Eagles as Duke sent eight different pitchers to the mound, none lasting more than two innings; yet they combined to hold NCCU to just four runs while issuing five walks and recording 12 strikeouts.
 
Duke didn't take long to respond after a double and an RBI single leveled the game at one in the bottom of the first.  The game remained close until the Blue Devils with a 2-1 lead cracked the game open with a 3-RBI double from junior shortstop Kenny Koplove (Philadelphia, Pa.) put the game out of reach for the Eagles in the third inning.  Duke scored in every inning besides the eighth, when freshman reliever Blake Morgan (Durham, N.C.) stepped onto the rubber and delivered a one-two-three inning capped off by a strikeout.
 
Kimber went 2-for-4 on the day, with one run for NCCU (1-5), and pitched 2.1 innings allowing six hits, five runs (all earned), and struck out two batters, and was also saddled with the loss (0-1). 
 
Duke (6-1) was led by freshman third baseman Jack Labosky (Clovis, Calif.), who picked up four hits in five at-bats, scored two runs and notched one RBI. 
 
The pitcher of record for the Blue Devils was redshirt junior Conner Stevens (Raleigh, N.C.), who pitched two innings in relief and allowed no runner to reach base while striking out three of the six Eagles he saw, picking up his first win of the early season (1-0).
 
The Eagles return to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 28 as they host North Carolina A&T State University with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. with the second game slated to start at 4 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park.  Admission is free.