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Junior Nate Roberts went 5-5 and broke the HPU record for runs scored in a season but Duke scored seven runs in the last three innings to beat the High Point University baseball team 13-11 Wednesday at Williard Stadium.

“Unfortunately the last two nights we have found ways not to win,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “We gave up seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings and didn't protect the run support we got. It obviously isn't the way we wanted to go in to break. We have to change the mentality and hopefully find a way to play winning baseball down the stretch.”

Roberts scored his 66th run of the season in the third inning to break the HPU record for runs scored in a season set by Otis Foster in 1975. Roberts came home on a groundout by Kyle Mahoney to give HPU an early 4-3 lead.

Both teams put up two runs in the fourth inning, HPU on RBI singles by Mike Mercurio and Matt Gantner. Duke's Brian Litwin brought home two runs on a two-out double.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Andrews walked the first batter he faced in the seventh, Jake Lemmerman, on four straight balls. Mike Caldwell came out to protect HPU's 8-6 lead but Duke put up four runs on four hits in the inning to take a 10-8 lead.

Freshman Kyle Wigmore took the mound in the eighth inning, with two Duke runners already on base and gave up a three-run homer to Will Piwnica-Worms. It was the only hit he game up in two innings of work.

In the bottom of the eighth Andrew Bartlett was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, he took second and third on a wild pitch before coming around to score on a groundout by Pablo Rosario. Mercurio earned a walk and came around to score on Roberts' 15th home run of the season. The homer made it a 13-11 Duke lead going in to the ninth inning.

Wigmore kept Duke off the score board in the final inning, despite Jake Lemmerman reaching on an error. Wigmore struck out the side in the inning. However, Christopher Manno did the same, striking out all three HPU batters in the top of the inning to pick up his third save of the season.
Mercurio finished the night 2-3 with four runs scored.

HPU starter Al Yevoli lasted just 4-1/3 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits. Caldwell got the loss to fall to 1-5 on the season and Duke's Ben Grisz improved to 3-1 with the win.

The Panthers (22-23, 8-10 Big South) have eight days off for exams before they host Gardner-Webb May 7-9 in Big South Conference play.