Proksch Shines as Duke Moves On to Winner’s Bracket in Athens Regional
Duke right-hander Jonathan Proksch delivered a masterful performance Friday night, guiding the Blue Devils to a crucial win and a spot in the winner’s bracket of the Athens Regional. Proksch was in complete control from the outset, keeping opposing hitters off balance with pinpoint command and a sharp breaking ball that had the crowd buzzing.
The sophomore pitcher tossed seven dominant innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out nine. His ability to work efficiently and stay ahead in counts proved vital, as he minimized traffic on the basepaths and never allowed the opposing offense to gain momentum.
Offensively, Duke gave Proksch early run support, which helped set the tone for the game. The Blue Devils jumped ahead in the second inning with a pair of runs, capitalizing on a fielding error and timely hitting. From there, they added insurance runs in the fifth and seventh innings, finishing with a 5-2 victory.
Head coach Chris Pollard praised Proksch’s poise and execution in a high-pressure environment. “That was one of the best outings we’ve seen from him all season,” Pollard said. “He attacked the strike zone, trusted his stuff, and gave us exactly what we needed to get this tournament started right.”
With the win, Duke advances to the winner’s bracket in the double-elimination Athens Regional. They will next face the winner of the matchup between the host Georgia Bulldogs and UNC Wilmington. A win there would put Duke one step closer to a potential Super Regional berth.
Proksch’s gem not only lifted Duke on the scoreboard but also set the tone for a confident postseason run. If his performance is any indication, the Blue Devils could be a dangerous team in the NCAA
tournament.
