DURHAM, N.C. – In its penultimate midweek game of the season, Duke hosts Queens at Jack Coombs Field on Tuesday, May 5. The Blue Devils (23-24) and Royals (13-33) are scheduled for a 6 p.m. first pitch, with live streaming available on ACC Network Extra. The two teams meet for just the second time in the series’ history, with Duke claiming a 12-2 victory last season in the first matchup between the two teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tuesday night marks the second of\u00a0three Bark at the Park games where fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the game. All fans bringing a dog will be required to sign a\u00a0release form<\/a>\u00a0at the marketing table upon arrival. Dogs must be on leash at all times in Jack Coombs Field.<\/p>\n TUESDAY (5\/5) QUICK HITS
For more information on Duke baseball, follow the Blue Devils on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0by searching for “DukeBASE”.<\/p>\n #GoDuke<\/p>\n \n\u00a0
\nDuke vs. Queens
\n6 p.m. (ET) \u2013 Jack Coombs Field
\nWatch Live \u2013\u00a0ACCNX<\/a>
\nDuke \u2013 RHP\u00a0\u2013 Drew Bryan<\/a>
\nQueens \u2013 RHP \u2013 Davin Pollard<\/p>\n
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\n\tDuke is coming off four consecutive games against No. 2 North Carolina, taking one of three in a conference series on April 23-25, before dropping a non-conference contest in Chapel Hill on Sunday, May 3.\u00a0
\n\tMatthew Strand<\/a> has started at catcher in all but two games since February 28, after both Cider Canon<\/a> and Nolan Johnson<\/a> suffered early injuries this season. Catcher was a position of strength entering the season, but Strand has taken on the bulk role in stride.\u00a0
\n\tOverall, the third-string catcher has evolved into one of Duke’s most dangerous bats, with a .323 average at the plate, a 1.046 OPS and a team-high 36 RBI. The Samford transfer led the team at the plate in March and hit seven home runs, with 22 RBI. Strand slashed .365\/.423\/.794 across 16 games in March and two of his homers were grand slams against ACC competition.\u00a0
\n\tINF Coltin Quagliano<\/a> ranks as the top infielder in the country for defensive runs saved (DRS), at 14.66. Quagliano is the only non-catcher in top five nationally for DRS and has made several highlight plays on defense, including a jump throw from the third-base foul territory to get the batter at first base at NC State. The graduate has played and started at the hot corner in all but one game this season.
\n\tINF\/OF RJ Hamilton<\/a> has been a steady starter, consistently batting second in Duke’s lineup. The transfer from Vanderbilt is slashing .323\/.426\/.510 and blasted the fifth home run of his season in the first inning against North Carolina on Saturday, April 25. The speedster is the only Blue Devil with at least 20 stolen bases and is 23-for-27 on the basepaths.\u00a0
\n\tHamilton had a hitting streak reach 15 games with a base knock in the first game of the doubleheader at Boston College, but after having his streak snapped in the nightcap against the Eagles, he has logged at least one hit in every game since, good for a stretch of at least one hit in 19 of his last 20 games.
\n\tDuke currently sits at 128 stolen bases this season, tied for fourth in the country.
\n\tThe Blue Devils set a new program record for stolen bases in a season on March 31, with a double steal in the first inning against Davidson moving the Blue Devils’ season total to 108, surpassing the previous record of 106.\u00a0
\n\tINF Collin Anderson<\/a> has stepped into a consistent starting role for Duke’s infield and led Duke at the plate in its three-game series against Louisville April 2-4. The freshman went 7-of-13 (.538), including a double and a home run. On defense, Anderson made several highlight plays at both second base and shortstop, while playing clean baseball with zero errors. At NC State, Anderson flashed the leather in the Sunday finale, with a diving stop at second to end a Wolfpack threat in the late innings.\u00a0
\n\tOF Michael DiMartini<\/a> made an impact at the plate at Florida State, with three doubles and a home run helping the junior to a 1.100 slugging percentage. His home run, on Saturday, helped Duke keep pace with a dynamic Florida State offense and his 11 total bases across the three games led the Blue Devils. DiMartini has been an elite centerfielder with multiple highlight grabs in the outfield.
\n\tOF Tyler Albright<\/a> has already worked 40 walks this season, 10th most nationally. The senior missed four games while in concussion protocol but through 39 games played, Albright is nearly 90% of the way to his previous season-high of 45, set last year in 62 games. The outfielder moved to leadoff to open the Miami series, with Albright’s patience at the plate and base-running ability cited by Duke head coach Corey Muscara<\/a> for the shift in lineup. Albright has also absorbed seven hit-by-pitches, and currently holds the best on-base percentage of his career (.441).
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