DURHAM, N.C. (theACC.com) - Duke earned its second ACC Softball Championship in its third-ever title game appearance on Saturday after defeating Florida State, 6-3, in front of a sellout crowd at Duke Softball Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. This marks the second time in four years the Blue Devils appeared in and won the Championship in the same year (2021). 

The 2,274 fans in attendance set the ACC Softball Championship Game attendance record and marked the third-straight sell out for the championship game. The previous record was set in 2019 when Florida State defeated North Carolina in Tallahassee, Florida. 

No. 2 seed Florida State used a three-run inning to score first and take the lead in the fourth. Kalei Harding launched a two-run homer to center field, before a RBI double from Michaela Edenfield gave the Seminoles a 3-0 lead.

No. 1 seed Duke fought back to within one run in the bottom of the fourth, as 2024 ACC Player of the Year Claire Davidson and Defensive Player of the Year Aminah Vega both singled and quickly found themselves in scoring position. Davidson scored off a sacrifice fly from Ana Gold, before Kelly Torres pushed the second run of the inning across with an RBI single through the left side to cut the Seminoles lead to one.

Cassidy Curd entered the game and delivered six quick outs for the Blue Devils in the next two innings as Duke put up a four-run sixth inning to all but seal the deal.

Two walks put a pair of Blue Devils on first and second as Gold stepped back up to the plate and ripped an RBI single to center field to tie the game at 3-3. Torres was intentionally walked Torres to load the bases with Jada Baker stepping up to bat. Baker reached on a fielder's choice, as Amiah Burgess scored on a throwing error to give Duke the lead for the first time on Saturday, 4-3.

Gisele Tapia came up to bat with the bases still loaded and hit a two-run single to left field, extending Duke's lead to 6-3 and recorded the final three outs of the game.

Curd (10-3) earned her 10th win of the season after pitching four innings and striking out three while, allowing no hits and no runs.

Duke earned the league's automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA DI Softball Tournament by securing the ACC title. The NCAA Selection Show is slated for tomorrow at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Regional action will begin later that week on May 16, and the tournament culminates with the 2024 Women's College World Series starting on May 30 in Oklahoma City.

2024 ACC Softball Championship All-Tournament Team
Abby Dunning, P, Boston College
Valerie Cagle, P, Clemson
Claire Davidson, OF, Duke
Ana Gold, INF, Duke
Aminah Vega, INF, Duke
Jala Wright, P, Duke - Tournament MVP
Michaela Edenfield, C, Florida State
Kalei Harding, Florida State
Kaley Mudge, OF, Florida State
Isa Torres, INF, Florida State
Addison Amaral, INF, Notre Dame

2024 ACC Softball Championship Schedule
Wednesday, May 8
Game 1: #9 Boston College 1, #8 Syracuse 0 | Box Score
Game 2: #10 Notre Dame 7, #7 North Carolina 4 | Box Score

Thursday, May 9
Game 3: #1 Duke 2, #9 Boston College 0 (10 inn.) | Box Score
Game 4: #5 Clemson 8, #4 Virginia 1 | Box Score
Game 5: #2 Florida State 2, #10 Notre Dame 0 | Box Score
Game 6: #3 Virginia Tech vs. #6 Georgia Tech | Box Score

Friday, May 10
Game 7: #1 Duke 4, #5 Clemson 3 (10 inn.) | Box Score
Game 8: #2 Florida State 10, #6 Georgia Tech 2 (5 inn.) | Box Score

Saturday, May 11
Game 9: #1 Duke 6, #2 Florida State 3 | Box Score