DURHAM, N.C. – Duke extended its current win streak to five straight games, grabbing a 5-3 victory over crosstown foe North Carolina Central Tuesday afternoon at the Durham Athletic Park. Junior Griffin Conine blasted his second home run of the season, sophomore Matt Mervis picked up the win and graduate student Ethan DeCaster registered his first save as a Blue Devil.
Tied 1-1 entering the third, Zack Kone’s one-out single put a man on base for Conine, who worked a full count before sending NCCU starter Nick Caregnato’s offering well over the right field fence. Conine reached base in three of his five plate appearances, drawing a pair of walks in addition to the two-run homer.