DURHAM, N.C. – Although sophomore designated hitter Peter Bowles had three hits, the Tigers (6-3) came up short in its bid to sweep Duke University (6-6) as the Blue Devils erupted for five runs in the final two innings to salvage the series finale with an 8-6 win over the Tigers at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Sunday afternoon

The Tigers, who won the first two games of the series by scores of 9-3 and 6-5, took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning of the series finale.

Rightfielder Jeff Kremer led off the bottom of the seventh by drawing a walk from sophomore righthander Nick Cioffi. Senior lefthander Kyle Paul came in to relieve Cioffi. Catcher Mike Rosenfeld greeted Paul with an RBI double to left centerfield, tying the game at 4-4. After Paul retired the next two hitters, first baseman Chris Marcocini was walked intentionally. But, leftfielder Andrew Istler singled to left, scoring Rosenfeld with the go-ahead run. Paul retired the side when he struck out Grant McCabe.

Freshman lefthander Nick Hendrix came in to protect the lead. With two outs in the eighth, he gave up a double to Bowles. But, he kept the Duke lead at 5-4 when he struck out Cody Reeves.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Devils added three more runs. Kenny Koplove led off with a single up the middle. When second baseman Andy Perez and leftfielder Jeff Kremer followed with singles, Duke had the bases loaded. A sacrifice fly by Rosenfeld gave Duke a 6-4 lead. A double by third baseman Jordan Betts drove in Perez for a 7-4 advantage. After an intentional walk to designated hitter Matt Berezo set up a double play opportunity, Marcocini singled in a run. But, he took a wide turn at first base and the rightfielder, Bowles threw him out at first. Freshman righthander Joe Patton came in to record the final out.

Trailing by 8-4 in the top of the ninth, the Tigers made a bid to tie the game. Junior shortstop Hunter Bennett, who batted .545 in the Duke series, led off with a double down the left field line. A walk to junior third baseman Mike Draper put runners on first and second with no outs. Junior second baseman Pat Fitzgerald cut the deficit to 8-5 when he had an RBI single to right. Sophomore Brendan Butler drove in another run when he grounded into a force play. However, Hendrix retired junior leftfielder Dominic Fratantuono on a hard line drive to shortstop. Then, he nailed down the win by striking out senior catcher Andrew Parker.

 “One of the keys to our success this season has been throwing strikes,” said Coach Mike Gottlieb. “We didn't do that today. We walked 10 guys and I think we issued 17 walks in our first eight games.”

Duke took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Marcocini hit a solo home run off junior righthander Brandon Gonnella. It was the first earned run that Gonnella had allowed this season.

Fratantuono put the Tigers ahead in the third inning. After walks to Fitzgerald and Butler, Fratantuono tripled to right center, driving in two runs. After Parker struck out, junior Kurt Wertz drew a walk. With runners at the corners, Wertz and Fratantuono tried a double steal. Although Wertz was thrown out, Fratantuono had already scored to give Towson a 3-1 lead.

Duke made a bid to tie the score in the bottom of the third inning but Fratantuono threw out Kremer trying to score on a single by Betts.

In the fourth inning, Duke came back to tie the score. McCabe led off with a triple. After a walk to Koplove, Cioffi relieved Gonnella. A walk to Perez loaded the bases. When Cioffi issued another walk to Kremer, McCabe scored to cut the lead to 3-2. A single by Rosenfeld scored Koplove with the tying run. However, Perez was thrown out at the plate trying to score.

In the sixth inning, the Tigers grabbed a 4-3 lead. Parker led off with a double. With one out, Bowles doubles to right center, driving in Parker with the go-ahead run. However, Reeves struck out and Bennett grounded out to end the inning.

The Tigers, who are now 6-3 on the season, are off to their best start since 2001. They open a seven-game home stand on Tuesday when they host Longwood at 2:30 p.m.