Chris Pollard raves about Duke slugger MJ Metz's 'Disney script' success after ACL injury

Duke slugger MJ Metz continues to produce at the plate, despite suffering a torn ACL at the ACC Tournament last month.

After hitting four home runs in the Conway Regional at Coastal Carolina last weekend, Metz legged out an infield single in Game 1 of Monday’s Super Regional matchup with Virginia.

Duke coach Chris Pollard spoke with ESPN2 during the broadcast of the game about Metz and the toughness he is showing.

“Yea, it kind of defies logic. I mean it’s kind of like a Disney script. He just keeps rewriting it as we go,” Pollard said. “But he’s moving good. He got down the line really good right there. You know, running I don’t think is as big an issue as putting the brakes on when he has to stop. But he continues to compete. The way he’s been tough for this club, it’s really special.”

As Pollard mentioned, it took a while for Metz to get stopped after passing first base. The good news for Metz is that he has plenty of time to rest in between at bats as he has gone from playing first base to only serving as a designated hitter after suffering the torn ACL.

Metz was 8-for-18 with four home runs and eight RBIs during the regionals. He and the Blue Devils are off to a good start in the super regionals, too.

Andrew Healy gives Duke strong start vs. Virginia

Freshman Andrew Healy got Duke off to a strong start on the mound Monday afternoon against Virginia.

The lefty allowed one run in 3 innings of work and exited the game with a 2-1 lead. Pollard was proud of his freshman, who entered the game with a 5-1 record and 2.27 ERA.

“Love him. He was really tough,” Pollard said. “Executed three pitches for strikes. Pitching in with his fastball, moving it around. I thought it was a terrific outing. I’m really, really proud of Andrew Healy.”

Duke slugger Damon Lux keeps hot bat going with early 2-run home run vs. UVA

Duke OF Damon Lux has had a hot start to the NCAA Tournament through three games. Now, he has the Blue Devil’s fourth game off to another good start in the Charlottesville Super Regional.

Duke and Virginia played two scoreless innings to open the start of their series. That was until Lux got a hold of one at the top of the third that put his team up 2-0 inside Davenport Field.

This was Lux’s second home run in this NCAA Tournament. It was also his sixth hit of the tournament and accounted for the ninth and 10th RBIs that he has recorded after Duke went 3-1 in the Conway Regional last weekend.