Duke softball rolls past Howard in five innings to open NCAA Tournament
Duke’s signature song, “Everytime We Touch,” got plenty of airtime and there were plenty of home plate celebrations as the softball team cruised to an NCAA Tournament regional win.
The Blue Devils defeated Howard, 12-0, in five innings Friday via the long ball. They will play the Georgia Bulldogs at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Outstanding team win today,” Duke coach Marissa Young said. “I think it was a big statement win to come out and dominate the way that we did. Proud of the lineup — up and down the lineup — for having production, Ana (Gold) coming up big in several opportunities for us and Cass (Curd) throwing a complete game today is exactly what we need going into the postseason.”
KK Mathis singled to second base and drove in Thessa Malau’ulu to jump start the scoring. Jada Baker added a three-run home run two plays later, putting the Blue Devils up 5-0.
Duke (39-16) continued its offensive success in the second inning, adding five runs. Ana Gold, Duke’s all-time home run leader, and Kairi Rodriguez contributed a home run each. Gold’s three-run blast to left gave the Blue Devils an eight-run advantage and initiated the run rule. The team also scored on an error.
Gold went 2 for 2 with a pair of homers, putting Duke’s total at four in the game.
Howard (31-19) tried to neutralize Gold by making seven pitching changes to not allow the left-handed pitchers to see her. Bisons head coach Tori Tyson said her team knew the margin of error was slim. When Duke makes contact, balls are “going to go to another continent,” she said. That’s exactly what happened.
“They did exactly what we knew them to do,” Tyson said. “They’re going to swing hit strikes, and they’re going to take advantage of middle.
“We’ve done it before; doing it, honestly, for the last five weeks. It just didn’t go our way today, but I’ll do it again.”
Young complimented Tyson’s game plan and the “chess match” that often comes in the season. It’s something other teams have attempted, but never to that extent.
“Once we got the lineup that there were three pitchers within the lineup that typically aren’t there, I had a feeling they were going to try to do something, honestly, I’ve always wanted to do,” Young said. “They tried it and Ana still found a way to beat the plan. It’s incredible.”
The Blue Devils finished with nine hits, 11 RBIs and four walks. They left only four runners on base.
Cassidy Curd pitched a complete game. She threw five innings, allowed two hits and notched six strikeouts. Curd gave up one walk and hit one batter but relied on her defense to end Howard’s limited scoring opportunities.
Curd struggled at times during the regular season but entered the game with a “new season” mentality, which led her to success. Plus, she has deep trust in her teammates.
“Most of the time, as soon as the ball is hit off the bat with two outs, I’m walking off the field,” Curd said. I don’t think there’s anything the defenders behind me can’t handle, and I know wherever I fall short, they’re going to pick me up. … I give up a walk, so what? Go at the next batter.”
Howard recorded two hits and three errors in the loss but will play in the consolation bracket Saturday with a chance to extend its season.
This was the second time Duke played Howard this season. The first game was in late February, and the Blue Devils defeated the Bison, 13-1, in five innings. That is the only other game in the series between the two programs. Similar to the NCAA Tournament game, the Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first. D’Auna Jennings went 3 for 3 with three runs scored, while Gold and Malau’ulu were 2 for 2 with four RBIs and two runs each.
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM.
