Rothenberg’s grand slam in 1st inning sends Duke by FSU 12-1

<p>CHARLOTTE, N.C. &mdash; Michael Rothenberg hit his second career grand slam in a five-run first inning and No. 9 seed Duke beat fifth-seeded Florida State 12-1 on Wednesday in the ACC Tournament for its ninth straight victory.</p>
<p>Duke (30-20) faces Miami in a pool-play game on Thursday and Florida State (29-23) plays the Hurricanes on Friday.</p>
<p>Rothenberg tripled to start the third before scoring on Graham Pauley’s single for a 6-0 lead. Erikson Nichols added a RBI single in a three-run fifth and a two-run homer in a three-run ninth. </p>
<p>Rothenberg also hit a grand slam in the 2019 ACC Tournament against Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Duke starter Billy Seidl (4-0) struck out six and gave up just three hits in 3 1/3 innings. Florida State starter Bryce Hubbart (6-5) walked two and allowed four runs without recording an out in the first. </p>
<p>Robby Martin drilled his 11th home run of the season for Florida State in the fourth inning. He finished with two of Florida State’s four hits.</p>