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The High Point University baseball team had its seven-game win streak snapped by Duke Tuesday at Williard Stadium. The Blue Devils led by seven early in the game and held on for a 9-6 win over the Panthers.

“We didn't pitch well enough early in the game to give our offense time to get comfortable,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “We battled and fought until the end but couldn't get it done tonight. We have a very tough road game at East Carolina tomorrow and we will be ready to play. “

Corey Swickle took the loss for High Point in his first appearance of the season. The senior surrendered three runs, all earned, on five hits in two innings of work. He walked one and struck out four. Duke's Eriic Pfisterer earned his first win of the season despite allowing six earned runs in 5-1/3 innings.

The Blue Devils scored three runs off Swickle in the second inning and added three more off sophomore Steven Schils in the third to take an early 6-1 lead. The Panthers run came in the second inning when Steve Antolik doubled and scored.

The Blue Devils continued to extend their lead with two runs in the fifth inning, all credited to Schils, before High Point's offense could get going. Schils gave up five runs on eight hits in three innings.

Zach Tessier led off the bottom of the fifth with a hit by pitch and freshman Preston Packrall got his first collegiate hit with a chopper over the third baseman's head. Mike Mercurio walked to load the bases and Murray White IV picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field. Antolik doubled for the second time, bringing in two more Panther runs and cutting Duke's lead to 8-4.

Tessier and Packrall got on base again in the sixth via a walk and a single up the middle, respectively. They both scored again with Mercurio and White picking up the RBI to make it an 8-6 game.

Al Yevoli pitched 2/3 of an inning without allowing a run before Mikel Rodenberg closed out the game on the mound. He allowed one unearned run in 3-1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Duke pushed across the unearned run in the ninth to make the final score 9-6.

Antolik finished the night 3-5 with three doubles and two RBI and Packrall went 2-4 with two runs scored in his first collegiate game.

High Point (7-6) will play a 5 p.m. game on Wednesday at East Carolina.