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The High Point University baseball team handed Duke a 9-3 loss Tuesday in Durham, N.C. Junior Drew Dades got the win in his first career start and sophomore Mike Mercurio went 3-5 with a bases clearing double in High Point's six-run fourth inning. It is High Point's fourth straight win.

“This is obviously a great road win against a Duke team that has been playing very well,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “We came out with tremendous energy and were relentless offensively. Kyle Mahoney took control of the pitching staff and called a great game. Dades had a great start and Spencer Andrews and Ryan Retz were outstanding out of the bullpen.”

Dades pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and five walks in his first career start. He improves to 1-1 on the season while Duke freshman Drew Van Orden dropped to 2-2 on the season. The loss moves Duke to 7-2 on the season while High Point improves to 4-5.

Dades walked Marcus Stroman to lead off the game. Stroman advanced to second on a fly ball and stole third before coming in to score on a sacrifice fly from Will Piwinica-Worms.

Despite a single and two walks in the second Dades escaped without allowing a run. All three outs were recorded at third base. Retz threw two guys out from centerfield and Mahoney caught Joe Pedevillano trying to steal third.

After cruising through the first three innings Van Orden ran in to trouble in the fourth, giving up six Panther runs on six hits. Retz led off the inning with a double down the left field line and scored on a single by Scott Glover. After pushing across two more runs High Point, sent Mercurio to the plate with the bases loaded. Mercurio ripped the 0-2 pitch from Van Orden down the right field line for a bases clearing double. High Point led 6-1 at the end of four.

Dades kept Duke off the scoreboard until the sixth inning when Jeff Kremer led off with a single and scored on a double off the bat of Jordan Betts. Betts' double marked the end of the day for Dades who was relieved Spencer Andrews. Andrews stranded Betts at second, retiring the next three Blue Devils in order on a popup and two strikeouts. The Panthers led 6-2 through the sixth.

“It wasn't an easy outing,” Dades said. “I had to battle all day but my defense played great behind me and Mahoney called a great game.”

Steve Antolik and Drew Geissinger each picked up RBIs in the seventh inning to make the score 8-2. Van Orden didn't make it out of the eighth but was relieved by Mark Lumpa. Lumpa gave up with RBI single to Geissinger which scored Antolik who had doubled in Sal Pezzino. Both runs were credited to Van Orden who took the loss. He gave up eight runs on 12 hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Andrews allowed one run on two hits in three innings of relief. He had two strikeouts. Retz pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout. Retz also went 3-5 at the plate with a run scored.

Mercurio finished the day 3-5 with three RBI and Geissinger went 3-4 with two RBI.

High Point will return home for a weekend series against Dayton at Williard Stadium. Big South Conference Pitcher of the Week Cody Allen will get the start on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.