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Hickory Today
By the People, for the People
App State Baseball Falls at Duke
Mountaineers unable to hold early lead in 10-5 loss
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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App State Baseball freshman Nico Soul blasted a home run off the batter's eye on the second pitch of the ballgame, but the Mountaineers were unable to hold an early advantage in a 10-5 loss at Duke, Tuesday.
Why it matters
The loss drops App State's record to 3-1 on the season as they continue their early-season non-conference schedule. The Mountaineers will look to bounce back this weekend with a multi-team series against Queens, North Carolina A&T, and Southern Illinois.
The details
Soul's home run was the first of his collegiate career. App State had a number of scoring opportunities but left 13 runners on base, including five in the first three innings, while Duke scored each of its first seven runs of the ballgame with two outs. Making his first start following Tommy John surgery, Caleb Marks struck out two in a pair of scoreless innings to open the ballgame before Duke took the lead in the bottom of the third inning.
- On the second pitch of the ballgame, Nico Soul hit his first career home run.
- In the bottom of the third inning, Duke sent 10 men to the plate and took the lead.
The players
Nico Soul
App State Baseball freshman who hit his first career home run to open the game.
Caleb Marks
App State pitcher making his first start following Tommy John surgery, striking out two in a pair of scoreless innings to open the game.
Duke
The opponent, who scored each of its first seven runs of the ballgame with two outs.
What’s next
App State will return to action this weekend when they play a multi-team three-game series. The Mountaineers will face Queens on the road on Friday, North Carolina A&T in Hickory on Saturday, and Southern Illinois on Sunday at home.
The takeaway
While App State was unable to hold their early lead, the Mountaineers showed fight throughout the game, with several standout defensive plays and continued offensive pressure. The loss drops their record to 3-1, but they will look to bounce back in this weekend's multi-team series as they continue their non-conference schedule.
