baseball, softball, women's golf and men's lacrosse are among the teams who will participate in NCAA championships

Strong Spring Sports Season Sends Teams to NCAA Play

Strong Spring Sports Season Sends Teams to NCAA Play

Duke Athletics is finishing strong with as many as nine teams sending representatives to NCAA postseason play this spring. Several teams will be in NCAA action this weekend, including one home game on campus.

Here’s a roundup for spring sports:

Baseball

The regular season continues this weekend with Duke, currently ranked 16th, traveling to 11th ranked Miami to complete the ACC season. The conference tournament begins next week and Duke is in strong position to move on to NCAA play, which begins in June, and may even be in line to host a regional. Season highlights includes three straight series wins against nationally ranked teams, including two on the road and a home sweep of Louisville, which was then ranked 12th.

Softball

Seeded 8th in the NCAA tournament, Duke won the right to host a double elimination regional this weekend.  The action begins with Duke facing George Mason at noon in Duke Softball Stadium on East Campus. Charlotte and Campbell will also participate in the regional. (Purchase tickets on Goduke.com)

Men’s Golf

The men’s golf team came from behind on the last day of NCAA regional competition Wednesday in the Norman, Okla., to secure a spot in the national championships. Starting the day two strokes out of fifth place, the golfers went 13-under-par for the day to pass North Florida for the final qualifying spot. The team now advances to the national championships to be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., on May 26-31.

Women’s Golf

The team is heading back to the NCAA Championship for the 33rd time under head coach Dan Brooks as the Blue Devils carded a 54-hole score of 875 to finish second at the Florida regional. The NCAA championship begins Friday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Men’s Lacrosse

The top ranked Blue Devils rallied to defeat Delaware 12-11 in the NCAA first round. Sophomore Andrew McAdorey, playing in his first career NCAA tournament game, had three goals, while senior Dyson Williams also had a hat trick. The team advances to play Michigan in the quarterfinals in Albany, N.Y., on May 20.

Track and Field

After the women’s team won the ACC in dominant fashion, both men’s and women’s teams are waiting to hear what individuals advance to the NCAA East Regional May 24 in Jacksonville. At the ACC championships, Duke crowned two champions, produced 21 medals and earned 35 All-ACC honors. Editor's Note: On Thursday, 38 Duke track and field athletes were invited to the Jacksonville regional.

Men’s Tennis

After a successful season that included a 11-1 conference record, the team reached the NCAA quarterfinals but lost to No. 5 University of Virginia in a match that included a lightning delay, wet indoor courts and multiple location changes.

Women’s Tennis

After an impressive 23 season wins and a national 6th ranking, the team lost to UCLA in a 4-3 heartbreaker in the NCAA round of 32. The match came down to a third set tiebreaker in a singles match. The Blue Devils ended the year with a 23-5 record, 11-2 in ACC play.

Rowing

Coming off a strong performance in the ACC tournament, the rowing team received its fourth straight invitation to the NCAA championships. Ranked 14th nationally, the team will compete May 26-28 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, N.J. The Varsity Four team is seeded ninth nationally, while the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Eight team are also ranked.