On To Omaha!

The Miami Hurricanes beat the Arizona Wildcats 4-2 in another nail-biter of a game to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.  The NCAA college baseball championship runs June 14-25 at Rosenblatt Stadium.  The Canes will face Georgia in their first game next weekend.

Some quick facts from the Super Regional (from www.hurricanesports.com):

CORAL GABLES SUPER REGIONAL | GAME 3: No. 1 MIAMI 4, No. 12 ARIZONA 2
SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008 | NOTES

􀂄 Winning the Coral Gables Super Regional series 2-1 over Arizona, Miami is advancing to the College World Series for the 23rd time in its storied history.
􀂄 Both teams won the last Super Regional they competed in, with the Hurricanes advancing to Omaha after defeating Ole Miss in three games on the road in 2006 and the Wildcats advancing after downing Long Beach State in three games on the road in 2004.
􀂄 Miami is the 2008 Coral Gables Regional champion and is now 5-1 in 2008 postseason play, while Arizona – the 2008 Ann Arbor Regional champions – closes its postseason with a 4-2 record.
􀂄 Miami leads the all-time series versus Arizona, 6-3.

(1) MIAMI (52-9)
􀂄 Miami has never lost a Super Regional in Coral Gables, winning five Super Regional titles at home in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2008.
􀂄 The Hurricanes have advanced to the College World Series in 11 of 15 seasons under head coach Jim Morris.
􀂄 Miami is now 10-1 in Super Regional games in Coral Gables, 14-8 overall in the Super Regional and 170-77 in the postseason.
􀂄 Yonder Alonso’s two-run home run in the first inning was his team-leading 23rd of the season and marked the 100th homer for Miami this season. His 23 home runs this season ties for second-most in a season with Pat Burrell (1996).
􀂄 Miami has hit 100 home runs this season – third most in school history — and has at least one home run in 20 of its last 22 games. The Hurricanes last hit 100 homers in a season in 1999 (104).
􀂄 LHP Chris Hernandez (11-0), a 2008 All-American, Collegiate Baseball Freshman Pitcher of the Year and the first freshman finalist for the Clemens Award, made his first relief appearance tonight, coming in for the Hurricanes with two on and two outs in the seventh inning.
􀂄 Jemile Weeks’ RBI double in the first inning was his 17th of the year (extending his team-long hitting streak to five games), while Mark Sobolewski added his 16th double of the year in the eighth inning and Jason Hagerty hit his eighth double of the year in the ninth, as the Hurricanes have recorded 14 doubles in the postseason – including eight in the Super Regional series.
􀂄 Working 6.0 innings tonight and picking up the win, RHP Enrique Garcia (7-2) has gone at least five innings in eight of his last nine starts and has allowed three runs or less in nine of 15 starts this season.
􀂄 Dave DiNatale stole his 12th base of the year in the seventh inning, moving Miami to 7-7 in stolen bases during the postseason.

Here are several good reasons to go to Canespace parties and UM baseball games:

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Links to more Canes baseball news:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/

http://www.thehurricaneonline.com/

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/hurricanes/

Here are some photos from the weekend activities in Coral Gables:

Comments

[raizecane]

1st??????

[raizecane]

Yes.....I can now sleep at night. Congrats to the 'CANES on advancing to the CWS...again.

[SOUP]

Raize...after all this time, U are first of the first!

[SOUP]

Last pic above is of Manny hard at work. We took it just to prove to the Miami Herald that "The Mandingo" is the hardest working man in sports!

More photos to follow from OcalaCane...

[SOUP]

Omaha Bound:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/060908aaa.html

[canesfan2121]

Do any of you guys have a subscription to insidetheu, cus they have a new article that has all the numbers for the incoming freshmen

[KLCaneFan]

From the previous blog...
86, I sat to the right of the press box (when facing the field) so I had a clear view of the Cansepace corner.... I just didn't have an opportunity to get over there.

[SOUP]

Winningest Seasons in Miami Baseball History (By Percentage)...

1981: 61-10 (.859)
2008: 52-9 (.852)
1992: 55-10 (.846)
1979: 55-11 (.833)
1980: 59-12 (.831)
1974: 51-11 (.823)

[SOUP]

2121...I got one. I'll check it later and post it here.

[canesfan2121]

Alright thanks

[Cavaleer]

Huge Hi-Five to the Hardballerz!

Like Carlos said, I think Zona might have been the stiffest competition we'll face.

ROCK ON!!!

BrownSub, from the previous, I know Brandon Harris has #1.

I'm sure someone else knows the others.

[SOUP]

Coral Gables: (www.hurricanesports.com) - Junior first baseman Yonder Alonso has been named the Muscle Milk Student-Athlete for the period June 2-8.

Alonso, who was drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds in last week's Major League Baseball Draft, had two home runs and 5 rbi in the Hurricanes' Super Regional victory over the Arizona Wildcats June 6-8 at Mark Light Field. The victory will send Miami to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. June 14-25. It will mark the school's 23rd appearance in the CWS.

Alonso had a three-run homer in the fourth inning of the Hurricanes 14-10 victory over Arizona on Saturday, June 7 and added a two-run shot in the first inning of the team's 4-2 series clinching win on Sunday, the 8th.

[JC]

Does this mean I'm off the hook for the recap?

[Jer]

Last night was great! Making me sweat till the end. Go Canes!

[SOUP]

JC...that's up to you? I got plenty of stuff still to post, so yeah U can have the week off and maybe focus on the CWS teams?

[Jake]

Shalala is great for UM:http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/562545.html

[CanesgirlNC]

canesfan2121- I think you can do a trial offer and get that info - not sure

[CanesgirlNC]

LOL JC - I will give you a hall pass

[CanesgirlNC]

Nice pix by the way - who took the them - Ocala or 86 or a combination of both?

[SOUP]

2008 Miami Hurricanes Football Schedule

Thur., Aug. 28 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN ESPN360 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 6 at Florida ESPN 8 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 20 at Texas A&M TBD
Sat., Sept. 27 NORTH CAROLINA TBD
Sat., Oct. 4 FLORIDA STATE TBD
Sat., Oct. 11 CENTRAL FLORIDA TBD
Sat., Oct. 18 at Duke TBD
Sat., Oct. 25 WAKE FOREST TBD
Sat., Nov. 1 at Virginia TBD
Thur., Nov. 13 VIRGINIA TECH ESPN 7:30 p.m.
Thur., Nov. 20 at Georgia Tech ESPN 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 29 at North Carolina State TBD

[SOUP]

CGNC...all photos are from OcalaCane. More to follow!

[JC]

I've never had a problem with Shalala. Look at it this way: if the football team wins a national title by 2010, or at least is in serious contention and rolling, everyone will love her.

I remember going to the 2001 CWS Championship celebration at the Light after she had recently become president and she seemed pretty delighted at athletic success and promised a new scoreboard and continued support of baseball and sports in general. I don't see that she's really failed in that. It's just an unfortunate coincidence that the football and basketball programs slid as the years progressed after 2001.

That being said, nobody is perfect. I heard she was considering relocating the law school off campus and putting it downtown. The law students don't think much of that. I also think that biotech venture I read about this morning that Jake just linked is going to be a waste in terms of return on investment. I went to school in Boston and did some work in this area and the start-up costs are huge and the payoff is hardly guaranteed.

Now given that UM funds this privately, whatever, but Miami as a city probably shouldnt allocate much funding to that.

[SOUP]

Big East commish to retire in 2009:

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=24200

[M.H.]

Sighting.....I think I saw Solar, on a chain gang, in N. Georgia.

[CanesgirlNC]

MH if he was wearing a T shirt that said "paddle faster I hear banjo music", it was him......

[JC]

Haha, thanks 86 and CGNC.

Seems like since I wasn't at the games like some of you, I probably can't capture the atmosphere. I also missed parts of each of the three games.

I'd probably have devoted a lot of writing to Alonso's deep fly out in Game 1. I mean, it's UM baseball, it goes to the bottom of the 9th and you just bank on a win, sorta like LSU yesterday at their stadium. The Light has some ghosts too. It wasn't that the hits fell short of being HRs (though that was disappointing), it's that Alonso drove the ball directly at the gap btw the fielders. The CF for Arizona got such a friggin jump on the ball and then made a great quick throw for the double play. To put the play in football terms, it reminded me of that WVU back in 2004 who plowed into the endzone, or Krenzel converting 4th and 14 in 2002. I knew after that the Canes were highly unlikely to pull it out.

But at least they pulled the series out! The Alonso homer in Game 2 to complete the comeback and go ahead after being down in 4-0 woke up the ghosts and I knew after that the Canes were bound for Omaha. Not that I wasn't absolutely wrecked with nerves in the 8th inning last night. Carlos' throw to Alonso was SUCH a close play I was shocked Yonder ran off celebrating so soon. I was watching the ump closely, ESPN didn't even show him make the call bc the camera was following Alonso. The 9th inning throw by Jackson was much less of a close play, but no less skillful.

What a series. Arizona proved the preseason hype was worth it. That was a CWS team right there. What a crappy draw for them. I think they beat almost any of the other national seeds.

[Montreal-Cane]

Junior Luqman Abdallah has decided to transfer according to inside the U...He is the fifth player to transfer since last season.

http://www.insidetheu.com/news/viewnews.php?v=484cbdeded663

[SOUP]

College baseball championship bracket:

http://www.ncaa.com/Sport/Default.aspx?sid=905&id=254340

[SOUP]

JC...I'll say this for 'Zona:

They were a scrappy bunch that NEVER gave up even against all odds. Canes fans NEVER relaxed during the games and the tension was THICK with every pitch, hit and defensive play.

'Zona earned our RESPECT!

[SOUP]

From the NCAA baseball blog:

ACC Power

We knew all year that the ACC had three teams capable of being the three best in the country, and they'll now all have a chance to prove it in Omaha. Could the curse of Wake Forest in 1955 finally be coming to an end? North Carolina, Miami and Florida State will all have a shot to finally get rid of that stat, the last time the ACC has won a national championship, after each won a clinching game in the super regionals on Sunday. But remember, the ACC had 4 teams in 2006, and couldn't get the job done either.

Both Miami and Florida State had to do so in comeback fashion, after dropping their first game of the weekend. Miami's series against Arizona had perhaps three of the better games of the season, at least exciting. The last two innings of Game 3 were as pressure-packed as you can get, and the Wildcats just couldn't get the big hit in the big spot. Leaving the bases loaded in the 8th, and leaving a runner on 2nd in the 9th, as they fell 4-2.

The Wildcats have some of the best arms in the country, and Miami's offense was held to just 5 hits on Friday, and 7 hits on Sunday, but luckily for the 'Canes it was enough.

[JC]

Yeah, but I dispute the notion that they are better than any team we can and will face in Omaha. Arizona had their A game and it showed. Any of the teams in Omaha CAN bring their A game and beat Miami. The question is WILL they. That's why they play the game.

Georgia is certainly beatable, but they can also mash. They went 0-2 in the SEC tourney but in the elimination games they always seem to jump out to big leads. Maybe it's good the Canes don't play them in an elimination game. Georgia needs to link up with FSU in an elimination game and see who's elimination mojo is stronger.

I'm really surprised Stanford beat Fullerton in two straight. They looked awful against UCLA in their first regional game. But maybe they're just peaking. I think obviously with FSU hitting like they are they are the biggest thing btw Miami and the title game. But you never know which team gets to Rosenblatt, gets comfortable, and gets hot.

Like Matt said, I'd rather be on our side of the bracket than the other side (ASU/UNC/Rice/LSU or Irvine). Any of the teams on the other side could easily win it all, unless Fresno pulls the ultimate shocker tonight. But that's no reason for overconfidence.

[CaneSawMassacre]

Anybody want to divulge why Abdullah is leaving?

[M.H.]

Zona has the the best defensive 1st baseman and catcher, that we will see, this year.

[M.H.]

CGNC..did you ever see the video, I posted, with the dueling banjo music? ... Funny!

[canechic]

MH you got it, their defense was stellar and truly I believe their pitching the best we have seen (since they had 5 1st round picks).

Go Canes beat the dogs!!

[canechic]

Is humid in Omaha?? Maybe not since it is in the midwest but maybe the field will not dry out because of the humidity!

[Carlos]

Yeah, but I dispute the notion that they are better than any team we can and will face in Omaha. - JC

I never said that, read it again.

[DZ8]

Last I heard Abdallah was getting moved to O line. The writing is on the wall. Shannon getting rid of the non-performers. For all I know Abdallah is a great guy but on a thin d line last year he barely made a noise. Onward and upward...

[Montreal-Cane]

Fresno State VS Arizona State Tonight 7:00PM ET ESPN2

Can Fresno State upset the Devils?

[CanesgirlNC]

Michael Strahan Calls It Quits

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/wcStory?contentId=8118850#story=8225886&MSNHPHMA

MH - no I never saw that? Was Solar in it?

[SOUP]

Canechic, CGNC, 1982, Monty, JC, MattinNY, Ocala, Loco, Jer and other hard core baseball fans, check this link I found:

http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2008/06/08/miami-fl-heads-back-to-omaha/#more-3244

[SOUP]

Zona has the the best defensive 1st baseman and catcher, that we will see, this year.

Posted by: M.H. | June 09, 2008 at 04:04 PM

I agree 100%!

[JC]

Why's it gotta be directed at you Carlos? I don't know who said that, but I read it somewhere. I don't take names, t'aint personal!

[CanesgirlNC]

You know I fund myself the other night saying the three words I thought I would never ever have to say again..."Come on Kyle" - jeepahs!

[Montreal-Cane]

Thanks for the link 86

[Jake]

JC-i think they are looking at the private sector for investments. She does have quite the resume. I think we are lucky to have an active and smart president like her, she is involved in so many different areas. She will do good for the entire university.

[JC]

Not a whole lot of original content for a promising site there 86. Your blog is better!

[Carlos]

Did you guys see this link?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2008/news/story?id=3427340

Apparently, they are "surprised"

7 Cincinnati Reds Yonder Alonso 1B Miami (Fla.)

- Alonso is the first surprise of the draft. It's a surprise because the Reds weren't linked to him and he's asking for $8 million and a major league deal. He's a left-handed power hitter with a very patient approach, and he should hit for quite a bit of power at Great American Ballpark. What does this mean for Joey Votto

12 Oakland Athletics Jemile Weeks 2B Miami (Fla.)

- This is the riskiest pick so far. He can't play anywhere but second base in the infield, so he has to hit well enough to be a major league regular. He's a plus runner; he needs to be more contact-oriented with wood. With metal, he's too pull-oriented, so he'll have to adjust his approach. He has a better chance to be a plus defender at second base than his brother, Rickie Weeks.

27 Minnesota Twins Carlos Gutierrez RHP Miami (Fla.)

-Now this is the biggest surprise of the first round so far. Gutierrez is another college closer whose fastball tops out at 94 with sink. But he doesn't have a viable second pitch, not even a breaking ball. I don't think a team should take a player with only one pitch in the first round. But the Twins have always had success with power arms out of their bullpen.

lol @ this bias.

[Montreal-Cane]

Victor Weeks, the grandfather of University of Miami second baseman Jemile Weeks, attended the first NCAA Super Regional Championship baseball game between Miami and the University of Arizona. Victor Weeks is a former Negro League baseball player and is unable to see due to glaucoma.

I was touched by this story...
He must be proud of his grand son...

See pictures # 8 and 9 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/hurricanes/sfl-0606umbaseball.pg,0,785685.photogallery

[M.H.]

Sorry if you saw this already..for CGNC..

http://www.golfswing.com/vid/duelingbanjos.asp