Virginia’s potent offense managed just five hits against Duke pitching in a 5-2 series-opening loss in Durham on Thursday.
The big blows from the Duke side came on a two-run home run from Kairi Rodriguez in the second inning and a two-run KK Mathis double in the fifth.
At that point, #23 Duke (26-11, 11-2 ACC) led 4-0.
#12 UVA (31-4, 9-3 ACC) cut the lead in half in the sixth with a two-run shot to left from Reagan Hickey, her eighth homer of the season.
Duke got one back in the bottom half on a solo shot from Jayla Stafford.
Virginia went down in order in the seventh to close things out.
Courtney Layne (10-3) took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts through 4.0 innings of work.
Cassidy Curd (12-2) picked up the win in relief, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts.
Up next
Virginia and Duke continue the series on Friday with Game 2 at 6 p.m. on ACCNX.
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Chris Graham
