The University of Miami baseball team ran straight into a strong head wind and a tough University of Arizona squad last night at Mark light Stadium, falling to the Wildcats 6-3 in a game one of the Super Regional Tournament. The extra inning battle was a test of nerves for the coaches, players and the sell out crowd packed into The Light on a breezy Friday night in lovely Coral Gables.
The Hurricanes blew (no pun intended) several chances to win the game and even blow it open (pun intended) by hitting several long balls right into the stiff breeze blowing in from right-center field. There were three or four monster shots hit by different Cane sluggers that went 398 feet to straight away center field. Trouble is, the fence measures a neat and tidy 400 feet in dead center and all of the balls were caught on the warning track by the busy UA center fielder.
The result was that the Canes left 12 runners stranded on the night and most of them in scoring position. The Canes 1-5 batters did almost nothing to dent the Wildcat's pitching or pride. That led to Arizona gaining their confidence and the big mo' and eventually pulling the 3-3 game out in the 11th inning on a three run, line drive blast to right field against Canes closer and recent MLB first round draft pick David Gutierrez. The Canes will try again tonight at 7:30 PM (ESPN) with Erickson on the mound for Miami.
We also wanted to mention that during the first and second inning Canes fans were still trying to get into the stadium but were turned away. Some of these resourceful fans fled to the multi-level parking garage behind right field to try to get a view of their diamond heros. At one point there were about 30-50 fans packed on various levels and even the stairwells. That was of course until the UM Athletic Department decided to ask the "boys in blue" (CGPD) to run them off.
If there ever was a WRONG thing to do that was it! How do you run away fans desperate to catch a glimpse of their team? In a town where the Marlins struggle to draw 5,000 disinterested fans for MLB game you just can't do that, can you? Well at least when the renovations are done (thanks to ARod's generous donation) that will NOT happen again!
Oh, and one more thing that nobody mentioned on the blog: The ACC was 0-3 in games yesterday with UM, NCST and FSU all losing in their Super Regional games. Go Canes, Go ACC!!!
Yes some major insurance runs like 10
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I like how you think canechic!
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:29 PM
hoody hoo
Posted by: long live ron mexico! | June 07, 2008 at 11:31 PM
9 more to go!
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:31 PM
we needed that
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:32 PM
this team is like F$U, though...won't quit..damn them
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:34 PM
6 Walks for Raben...Miami record...
canechic tomorrow...it would be Garcia...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:35 PM
thats the second at bat in a row for hagerty where he swings at a low ball to strike out
Posted by: long live ron mexico! | June 07, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Clutch hit, Adam Severino...
8 more to go!
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:36 PM
8 more to go
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Montreal how do feel about AU's pitching tomorrow??
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:37 PM
MH I just read the jorts reference.Canes wearing JORTS???
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Let's not get ahead of ourselves Canechick and Motreal.
Post about tomorrow's pitching after the fat lady sings tonight.
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Yeah I got ya busy, that is ofcourse if we win tonight?? (canechic disclaimer)
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Here we go...
Bottom of the ninth.
3 outs to go.
BTW, canechic, my apologies to you for the incorrect spelling on your name in the earlier post.
Forgive me?
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:42 PM
brutal series...3 more outs.
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:42 PM
brutal series...3 more outs.
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:43 PM
brutal series...3 more outs.
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:43 PM
gutierrez in
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:44 PM
lol..typepad
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:44 PM
okay this is the season GO CANES
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:45 PM
2 more
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:46 PM
2 more outs.
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:46 PM
juusssst a bit outside
Posted by: long live ron mexico! | June 07, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Not good let's go!!
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:48 PM
1 more to go!!!
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:50 PM
1 more
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Now is the time!
Montreal how do feel about AU's pitching tomorrow??
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:37 PM
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:51 PM
steeeeeeerike
Posted by: long live ron mexico! | June 07, 2008 at 11:52 PM
WIN!!
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Yes!!! WE WIN!!! Now can we talk pitching Busy?? Good night guys! MH as always enjoy sharing baseball!!
Go Canes!
Posted by: canechic | June 07, 2008 at 11:53 PM
later
Posted by: M.H. | June 07, 2008 at 11:54 PM
canechic we have to score lots of points early tomorrow because AU did not use their aces out of the bullpen tonight, Ryan Perry and Jason Soffel...But i am confident our starting pitcher Enrique Garcia will have a stong game...I like our chances...
Let's go Canes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Good night everyone!
-cheers
Posted by: busy_cane | June 07, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Okay well lets hope we score early!! anyway would be good to have an afternoon game, those AU can't take the humidity.
Go Canes! Good night!
Posted by: canechic | June 08, 2008 at 12:01 AM
too bad the game is a night
Posted by: canechic | June 08, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Fantastic win tonight!
These Canes are starting to turn me into a fan of baseball:)
Posted by: Seoul Cane | June 08, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I thought this was a very exciting game to watch if we didn't need the win so badly. For a Canes fan, it certainly was alot closer than I liked. Still, the bats continued to hit the ball well, from top of the order on down, and the defense was solid. After the first inning, I don't think many Canes fans felt too good. But winning today was sweet and showed why our bats and our arms make us such a dangerous team.
There are concerns. We can't keep giving Gaston fastballs inside. His ability to hit the curveball and changeup is questionable, but he can smash an inside fastball. Second, at one point, Arizona was 7 for 10 with runners in scoring position. That can not happen tomorrow. We have to get ground balls for double plays, something that both teams seem not to be able to do this series. Finally, we need a very strong effort by the starter Garcia tomorrow and jump on them early before they bring in those guys from the pen they saved today. I would imagine they don't have the great third pitcher and that is why they lost so many games. We have to take them out early.
Great win tonight and I am looking forward to the same manana.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | June 08, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Good observations SJMPARMAN!
Peace!
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 08, 2008 at 12:49 AM
I agree as well. I was sad to see us drop last night but I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game. Go Canes! We believe!
Posted by: Jer | June 08, 2008 at 01:01 AM
JUST BACK IN THE ROOM AFTER THE GAME AND POST GAME CELEBRATION AT THE TITANIC!
All we can say is...well, we can't really SAY anything, our voices are SHOT after two straight days of yelling our heads off at The Light!
All I will tell U tonight is...I TOLD YOU I GOT THIS! Before the game I told U twice. U have to learn to trust.
More to follow tomorrow AM...
Posted by: SOUP | June 08, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Mitch...Canes will win tonight. I got this!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 07, 2008 at 05:56 PM
86:
Bring us home a win. Will be looking for U on tv.
Posted by: Hurricane Mitch | June 07, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Mitch...I got this!
I'm here with the INFAMOUS Carlos. He signed our Canespace banner.
Going to the game....see ya!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 07, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Posted by: SOUP | June 08, 2008 at 01:35 AM
Phew, what a game. 86, I'm sorry I didn't drop by and say hi to you guys, but I had two tired teenagers with me and after 4 hours of sitting on concrete all they wanted to do was get in the car for the long drive home.
One thing I wanted to share with you guys is how excited I am to have Marve on our football team. He was sitting a few rows back from me and was almost as fun to watch as the game. He enthusiastically cheered the baseball team on, sat thru the rain, and even lead the crowd in cheers, including "U of M" which was in response to Arizona's "U of A" chant. When I left at the bottom of the ninth he was still there watching the game. I can't wait to cheer for him on Saturdays.
Wow am I exhausted! :)
Posted by: KLCaneFan | June 08, 2008 at 01:39 AM
RHP Enrique Garcia is scheduled to make the start for Miami tonight at 7:00pm while LHP Eric Berger (8-3, 4.43 ERA) will make the start for Arizona.
TV: ESPN 2
Radio: WVUM / WQAM
Listen to Ryan Braun interview earlier this week on WQAM...Nice one...
http://www.wqam.com/
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 08, 2008 at 01:45 AM
KL...I had your pic for you! But I know how U feel. I can't even imagine how the players feel, because we are wiped OUT!
Monty...I'm headed home in the AM so I will be blogging the game live from home while watching ESPN2.
Night all...
Posted by: SOUP | June 08, 2008 at 01:53 AM
Guys someone signed in on my password... I never wrote that. 86, can you read that???
86 seriously I never wrote that stuff, and no one could have. I wasn't here.
- CVS
Posted by: CVS | June 08, 2008 at 02:08 AM
86 you need to stop that person, how can I keep someone from signing in on my name? That sucks. You know I hate Arizona.
- CVS
Posted by: CVS | June 08, 2008 at 02:09 AM
CVS, typekey. At least one of the worst days of my life included a Hurricane stay alive win. Every cloud and all that happy stuff.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | June 08, 2008 at 03:12 AM
Hello All...
Haven't read yesterdays bloggs, as I'm too tired and exhausted to do it after 4 1/2 hours of excitement... What a friggin game and Kudo's to the team for not letting up.
LOL... Don't listen to everything Soup says... "I got this"! He says, "I got this"... but what he is not telling you, is that we were sitting together and he was nevous as a cat in a brown paper bag, as Arizona started to chanllenge us...LOL, and had to remind him several times,... to relax and that we still had 8 inning to go! HEHeeeeeeeeee,HEHeeeeeeeeee... It was a long night... LOL
Just a little side note about the fans. I noticed a big difference of the Miami fans from the first game to the second game. The first game we (The Miami Fans)were very respectful and let their fans root for their team after scoreing a big inning, yelling U of A, U of A... However, the second game... went just alittle differenttly, as we drowned their chanting with our own chant of ...U of M! U of M! and wouldn't let them have their way.
Of the last out... The place was rocking and everyone was standing on their feet from the minute the third out stepped up to the plate, with a thundering constant clapping in unison.... Clap,clap,clap clap as the tempo picked up to a trian racing down the tracks!!!! HooHoooooo, Strike One!,Two! and THREE!... UR OUTTA HERE!
CAN'T WAIT FOR TONIGHT!... CAT5
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 08, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Pumped up for tonight!!! What a thriller to watch last night. Pins and needles thru the whole game. Too much for an old broad like me!!! What a crowd there was, cheering on the CANES!!! Am I envious for all of you who were there!!
Too bad about Big Brown. Those greedy owners should never have run him if he wasn't right. Such a magnificent horse, to be treated like that. Something must be wrong.
GO CANES
Posted by: MaryLouAlumni | June 08, 2008 at 09:55 AM