By Matt Present for App State Sports. DURHAM, N.C. – The App State offense was held in check March 7, as the Mountaineers were limited to just one hit in a 5-0 loss to Duke at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
After allowing two runs in the first inning, Mountaineers’ starter Trey Tujetsch settled in, putting up zeros in each of his next three innings of work.
Dante Chirico was able to follow with a scoreless fifth inning, but the Blue Devils got on the board again with a two-run single in the sixth to push their advantage to 4-0.
Skylar Brooks took over from Chirico on the mound, stranding two runners in the sixth inning to minimize damage.
Freshman Jackson Steensma retired the side in order in the ninth, picking up a strikeout. He has yet to allow a run in five outings this season.
The Mountaineers best scoring opportunity came in the fourth. Xavier Moronta doubled with one out in the inning, and advanced to third base on a groundout, but the Mountaineers were unable to score him.
App State put two runners on in the seventh inning on a hit by pitch and a walk, but were unable to advance them past second base. The Mountaineers also drew a pair of walks in the eighth.
The Blue Devils delivered the final blow with a solo home run in the seventh to make it 5-0.
App State will welcome the 24th ranked Campbell Camels to Smith Stadium for a three-game series. Friday and Saturday’s games will begin at 3 p.m. with the finale set for 1 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
