The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils displayed a mesmerizing mix of power and precision to overthrow the No. 8 Clemson Tigers in a 5-2 game under the lights at Jack Coombs Field. Logan Bravo’s bat spoke volumes, twice launching into the night sky, and Jonathan Santucci’s arm carved through the lineup, a maestro commanding the mound.
From the get-go, it was evident that Duke was not about to squander home-field advantage, despite Clemson’s 11-game winning streak. The Blue Devils, with a solid record of 15-3 (ACC 3-1), really brought some serious energy to the game. Conversely, Clemson’s stride faltered, and they’ll need to lick their wounds as they recede to a 15-2 overall and 0-1 in ACC play.
The first inning set the stage for the evening’s drama—a high-octane affair with Blake Wright of Clemson sprinting out an infield single for the early lead. But that was merely the ignition. Logan Bravo’s ensuing three-run homer in the bottom of the frame flipped the script faster than a strikeout.
In the third inning, Bravo dealt another blow to Clemson by hitting his second home run. This time, a solo shot to left field extended Duke’s lead to 4-1. It was Bravo’s seventh long ball of the season, and he continues to lead the team in home runs, RBIs, and batting average.
Yet, it wasn’t just the crack of the bats that told the tale of this encounter. Duke’s astonishing Jonathan Santucci (4-0), armed with a slingshot precision of 11 strikeouts through just 5.0 innings pitched, played David to Goliath, quieting Clemson’s lineup with only two hits and two runs (one earned).
Charlie Beilenson emerged from the bullpen like an ace up Duke’s sleeve. His 2.2 innings of stalwart pitching to snap up his eighth save was nothing short of clutch. This performance wasn’t just about throwing heat; it was about dousing the Tigers’ flame.
On the Clemson side, though the night belonged to Duke, the Tiger’s starter Austin Gordon (0-1) stood valiant in the defeat. The junior pitcher’s 3.0-inning stint, despite allowing four runs, showed hints of potential—kindling for future matchups.
Clemson’s Blake Wright, refusing to bow out without a bang, flexed muscle with a 446-foot homer—an explosive exclamation point on his night and an awe-inspiring feat measuring more than just distance, but a sign of ferocious fight in the Tiger’s spirit.
Macon Winslow of Duke put the finishing touches on the victory narrative. His solo homer in the fifth inning was less a retort to Wright’s earlier blast and more a reinforcement of Duke’s unrelenting resolve.
Now, the series gates swing open for Round Two, Saturday at 3 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. With the Blue Devils seeking to build a streak of their own and the Tigers eager to strike back, it’s anyone’s game. And as the series unfolds with every pitch, swing, and play, only one question remains unanswered—will Clemson claw back, or will Duke’s might prove too formidable once more?
