Corey Childress struck out a career-high nine batters in an emergency relief appearance and Joey Denison drove in four runs as Troy knocked off Duke 6-0 in the Athens Regional opener Friday at Foley Field.
Troy (42-19) raced out to a 5-0 lead behind Denison's bat before a 5-hour, 25-minute rain and lightning delay halted the proceedings. Childress (4-2) took over for Andrew Crane in the fourth after Troy's starter suffered from cramps on the hot and humid afternoon. Childress worked a seven-pitch inning before the delay and struck out nine in the final five innings after the break.