DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Johnson drove in five runs to power Duke’s 7-4 victory over Murray State on Saturday in the first game of the Durham Super Regional.
The Blue Devils are one win from reaching the College World Series for the first time since 1961. Game 2 is Sunday.
Johnson, a .228 hitter in 57 at-bats coming in, had two doubles and a home run among his four hits and scored twice.
Trailing 2-0 in the third inning, Duke tied it when Jake Berger drew a leadoff walk and scored on Johnson’s two-run home run to center field.
Johnson and Berger figured in the Blue Devils’ three-run fourth inning. Johnson drove in two with a bases-loaded double that sent Berger to third base. Berger then scored on a wild pitch by Nic Schutte (8-4).
In the sixth, Johnson doubled to drive in one run and later scored on a double by Ben Rounds.
Duke managed only six hits — four by Johnson — but the Blue Devils benefited from eight walks.
Dom Decker had four of Murray State’s nine hits and drove in two runs.
Duke starter Owen Proksch (4-3) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Reid Easterly pitched three scoreless innings for his fifth save.
Duke (42-19) is playing in the super regionals for the fourth time. The Racers (42-15) are making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first in the super regionals