Canespace

Gators Found Beaten With Baseball Bats

Gainesville - Several Miami Hurricanes have not yet been formally charged but allegedly have been recently seen by several thousand people beating helpless Gators with baseball bats. 

If these UM student/athletes were not on the Canes baseball team these would be some serious charges.  But seeing as these bat wielding Hurricanes hardballers all apparently applied for and were granted official Gator hunting licenses, they have nothing at all to fear.

Head coach Jim Morris won his 700th game at the University of Miami and junior starter David Gutierrez tossed a career-best seven scoreless innings as the 10th-ranked Hurricanes edged out No. 12 Florida, 2-1, to clinch the weekend series in front of 4,570 fans Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium.

After winning the series opener on Friday, 8-5, Miami (5-1) clinched its second straight series over Florida (5-2), but just its second series in Gainesville since Morris arrived at UM in 1994.

Canes starters Chris Hernandez and David Gutierrez were both solid in their games against the slimy swamp lizards and Kyle Bellamy, while making things a little more exciting than Canes fans would like, has held down the lead as the Canes new closer in 2009.

Next up is the series finale as UM and UF face off in a Sunday noon game before the Canes can escape this God forsaken place of jorts, mullets and swamp things. The Canes players can then look forward to leaving the 352 and the clutches of the gators and returning to the sunny, safe and warm 305. 

GO CANES, BEAT THE GATORS!

The End Of The Line

Four Seniors.  No ACC titles.  No NCAA championships. 

Could this be the end of the line?  For four UM seniors it almost certainly is.

Jack McClinton, who scored just 11 points and well below his season average, hit a huge 3-pointer with 47 seconds to play on Thursday night to give Miami a two-point cushion and the Hurricanes held on to beat Virginia 62-55.

The Hurricanes (17-10, 6-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their second-straight ACC contest and got some clutch shooting from the Jack Attack when it mattered most down the stretch. His third 3-pointer gave Miami a 60-55 lead and he added two free throws with 19 seconds left.

Virginia (9-15, 3-10) had won two straight at home, but failed to score after Jeff Jones' 3-pointer produced the eighth tie of the half at 55 with 3:51 remaining. The Cavaliers committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions after pulling even, ending their chances.

But the season story for 2009 was not enough points, no point guard and no dominant big  man in the middle.  Yet Faith in Haith remains strong as his recent recruiting victories has Canes fans all charged up about the near and not so distant future of the team.

Still, the end of the line is indeed in sight for Seniors Jack "McClutch" McClinton, Jimmy Graham "Cracker", Brian "Haight" Asbury and Lance "Over The " Hurdle who will play their final home game for UM on Saturday March 7 at noon against NC State at the BankUnited Center.

We recommend that all Canes fans come out to show their support for the boys in Orange and Green and send the Seniors off in style. 

GO CANES!

Canes Spring Into Action

This afternoon your Miami Hurricanes will head out to Greentree Field for the first day of Spring practice as they begin preparations for the 2009 football season.

With new coordinators on both sides of the ball Head Coach Randy Shannon will have his hands full as the Canes will be learning new offensive and defensive schemes and terminology in addition to working on their conditioning and technique.  

Offensive Coodinator Mark "Miracle" Whipple takes over for the departed and defunct Patrick "Not The Fix" Nix.  With the two-headed QB controversy and Robert "I'm No Farve" Marve in his rear view mirror, The Whip has only one starting QB to worry about getting ready for games this year. 

JaScory Harris take the reins full time for the first time in 2009.  Backups Taylor "I can Really" Cook and Cannon "Of An Arm" Smith will get plenty of reps this Spring in support of the clear starter at QB.  The offensive line is the area the Canes must improve if they are to be successful this season.  OL Coach Jeff Stoutland better get busy and fast.

Recently hired Defensive Coordinator John "U Gotta" Lovett will take over for Bill "Forever" Young who really wasn't so young after all and left on his own accord to return to his roots and coach at his Alma Mater.  Lovett will have his hands full with a young and developing unit that at times got run around and thrown all over by opposing offenses like GT, FSU and UNC in 2008. 

Young Bulls Marcus "Manchild" Forston and Sean "Sleepy" Spence join two other Freshmen starters in Brandon Harris and Marcus Robinson along with a handful of experienced players like Eric Moncur, Colin McCarthy and Randy Phillips in their drive to rebuild the Canes defense into the fearsome force that it once was.  Questions still remain at LB, CB and Safety that must be answered this Spring.

So it is finally time to let the practices start, the pads smack and the players improve. 

Time to coach 'em up!

Double Or Nothing

Your Miami Hurricanes beat up and then beat down the Scarlet Knights in a Sunday slugfest at Alex Rodriguez Park.  The Canes scored at will and twice as much as the Knights in winning the final game of the four game series 18-9. 

Miami took three of four games from Rutgers over the opening weekend of the college baseball season.  Next weekend they head up to Gainesville to face the dreaded Florida Gators.

Game Notes
-Jason "I Ain't No Old"Hagerty became the first Hurricane to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a game since Adam Ricks accomplished the feat on March 17, 2004 against USF.
- The Hurricanes hit for the cycle as a team in the sixth inning, marking the first time the `Canes accomplished the feat since doing so against Louisville on June 1, 2007.
- Miami's 18 runs were the most scored by the Hurricanes since UM put up 23 against Wake Forest on March 23, 2008.
- Sophomore "Garden of" Iden Nazario made his first career, setting career-highs for innings pitched (6.0) and strikeouts (8).
- Hagerty hit his first home run of the season and his second career grand slam in the fifth inning.
- Scott "Breakin' The" Lawson hit his first career home run in the first inning.
- Ryan "Not Steve" Perry hit his first double of the year in the eighth inning.

Series Notes
- The Hurricanes out-scored the Scarlet Knights, 32-17, in the four-game set.
- UM now holds a 41-11 advantage in the all-time series versus Rutgers.
- Newcomer Scott Lawson led the team with seven hits on the series, going 7-for-16 with four doubles, four RBI and four runs scored.
- As a team, UM hit .330 (37-for-112) while the pitching staff allowed just 12 earned runs in 32 innings of work (3.38 ERA).
- UM's three starting pitchers combined for 20 of the team's 33 strikeouts.
- The Hurricanes drew 25 walks over the weekend to just eight by the Scarlet Knights.
- Four players hit better than .400 in the series, including Yasmani Grandal's team-high .571 average (4-for-7).
- UM was successful on 7-of-12 stolen base attempts on the weekend.

Eagles Grounded By Intense Hurricanes

Boston College ran into an intense and focused University of Miami team today at the BankUnited Center in an early and rare noon game.  While most students were probably still sleeping off their Friday night partying, the Canes managed to keep the Eagles grounded with a balanced team approach and a solid defensive effort in an absolutely essential ACC win. 

In the end, Faith in Haith was once again restored by the score of 69-58.  The Jack Attack registered 22 points with James Dews dropping in 14 and Brian Asbury depositing 12.  The Hurricanes (16-10 overall, 5-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) broke a three-game losing streak and swept the season series with Boston College. The Eagles (19-9, 7-6) were coming off a win over Duke last Sunday.

The Hurricanes have three games remaining on their regular-season slate -- including just one more at home. Miami will honor its four seniors -- Jack "McClutch" McClinton, Brian "Haight" Asbury, Lance "Over The" Hurdle and Jimmy Graham "Cracker"-- before their regular-season finale at the BankUnited Center on Sat., March 7 versus NC State. Tickets begin as low as $10 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-GO-CANES.

On this Super Sports Saturday on the lovely and active UM Campus in Coral Gables Canes fans had a chance for a rare triple header:  A UM basketball game at the BUC at noon and a Hurricane baseball double-header at newly renovated Alex Rodriquez Park at Mark Light Field at 4 PM and 7 PM. 

So, with the hardcourt hoopsters having done their part with a big win over BC, it was now time for Canes fans to walk the two blocks down Ponce De Leon Boulevard to the diamond for more good, clean fun starting at 4 PM.  Who knows, even the students may be awake by then? 

Many thanks to Canesince1982 who has done an admirable job as the play-by-play man here on the blog for both sports. 

UPDATE: The UM hardballers split their Saturday double-header with Rutgers taking the first contest 4-2 and losing the nightcap 5-4.  

In game one David Guiterrez was dominant on the mound for Miami allowing only one run over five innings. Kyle Bellamy closed out the game in his first appearence as the Canes closer.  Miami was down one run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, when senior outfielder Jonathan Weislow (seen here) smacked a two-run single to center to give the 12th-ranked University of Miami baseball team the win.

The seven-inning contest remained close throughout as neither team led by more than a run until the deciding sixth. Miami (2-0) scored the first run of the game in third before Rutgers (0-2) plated two runs in the fifth. The 'Canes then came alive in the sixth to secure their second win of the series.

In game two Rutgers took advantage of several defensive errors to steal the game.  Freshman Kevin Youst made his first career start for the `Canes and allowed just one earned run while walking one and striking out one in three innings of work. Fellow freshman Daniel Miranda, making his first career appearance at UM, had an effective relief outing in allowing just one run on one this while striking out three in three innings. Senior Rene Guerra suffered the loss in the final inning.

Dave "Heavy D" DiNatale (seen here) reached base in all four plate appearances and finished 2-for-2 with an RBI. 

Canes catcher Yasmani Grandal, hit his second home run of the season in a pinch-hit appearence.

The Hurricanes entertain the Scarlett Knights again today at 1 PM in the last game of the four game, season opening series. 

GO CANES!!!

Miami Batters Rutgers In Season Opener

Starting pitcher Chris Hernandez (seen here) was simply spectacular. 

New comers Scott Lawson and Harold Martinez were absolutely outstanding in their first game as Hurricanes. 

Lawson was on fire at the plate and had two doubles, a single and two RBI. 

Martinez, who has been watching the Canes baseball team since he was six years old and is living a dream come true to wear The U, told Miami Herald reporter Manny Navarro after the game that he had goose bumps during his first at bat.  

And then late in the game UM catcher Yasmani Grandal knocked it right out of the brand new ball park to seal the deal.

Yes, opening night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field turned out to be a huge success!  When it was over, your Miami Hurricanes had beaten the Scarlett Knights by the score of 6-1. 

The first game victory sends the Canes off on another long journey to get back to the College World Series once again in 2009.  For this team, as with any UM squad, nothing short of competing for a National Championship will do. 

Every year the familiar chant of: "On to Omaha" rings loud and clear.  This year, in spite of a huge loss of major league talent, the samne rule still applies. 

After winning the ACC championship in 2008 in Jacksonville the Canes have high expectations to achieve lofty goals in 2009.  But with the loss of several first-round draft picks to MLB teams, the Canes will have their work cut out for them.  Experienced UM Head Coach Jim Morris know what lies ahead. A long hard road is between the Canes and their next ACC title. 

The Canes will close out a four game series with Rutgers with two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.  Bring out  your brooms!

Root, Root, Root For the Home Team

The University of Miami baseball team opens its 2009 season in newly renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field this weekend as the 12th-ranked (NCBWA) Hurricanes host Rutgers in a four-game series.

Miami is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, having finished 53-11 (23-5 ACC) en route to its 11th College World Series appearance under head coach Jim Morris. Rutgers enters the season after compiling a record of 23-29-1 (11-16 BIG EAST) in 2008.

This weekend marks the season-opening series for both squads, as the teams are set to square off four times with a 7 p.m. game on Friday, a doubleheader (two seven-inning contests) starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Hurricanes enter the season with a number of new faces after losing eight players to the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft - including three first round selections in first baseman Yonder Alonso, second baseman Jemile Weeks and right-handed closer Carlos Gutierrez.

Despite so many losses to the pro ranks, the `Canes still boast three preseason All-Americans in junior shortstop Ryan "Action" Jackson, sophomore starter Chris Hernandez and junior closer Kyle "Ring My" Bellamy. In addition to that trio, UM welcomes back a handful of other noticable names in sophomore catcher Yasmani Grandal, junior catcher/first baseman Jason "I Ain't No Old" Hagerty, senior outfielder "Dynamite" Dave DiNatale and junior starter David Guitierrez.

This year's group of necomers is comprised of 11 true freshmen and three junior college transfers. Out of that group, a number of players are expected to contribute right away. All three of the JUCO guys - Chris Hermann, Scott "Breakin' The" Lawson and Taylor "Lonesome" Wulf - hail from the state of Texas and all will be called upon to step right in from day one. Some of the key freshman that should receive early playing time include outfielder Nathan Melendres, infielder Harold Martinez and starter Kevin Youst.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
GAME 1: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 7 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI - LHP Chris Hernandez (11-0, 2.72 ERA) vs. RUTGERS - RHP Casey Gaynor (2-5, 4.24 ERA)
RADIO: 560 WQAM, 90.5 WVUM

GAME 2: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 4 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI - RHP David Gutierrez (5-0, 4.75 ERA) vs. RUTGERS - LHP Dennis Hill (N/A)
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM

GAME 3: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, TBD
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI - TBA vs. RUTGERS - RHP Charlie Law (N/A)
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM

GAME 4: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
UM - TBA vs. RUTGERS - RHP Kyle Bradley (1-4, 4.88 ERA)
RADIO: 560 WQAM, 90.5 WVUM, 1450 ESPNDEPORTES

On and Off the Field, Andre Johnson Is An MVP

This article is Part III of a series of features on former Miami Hurricane and current Houston Texan Andre Johnson.  As most of you who have been around Canespace for a while know, we have featured Andre twice before; first when he was one of sixteen NFL players nominated for The Home Depot/NFL Neighborhood MVP Award and then again when he was honored to be selected as one of the eight finalists for the award.

I had the chance to meet up with AJ in Tampa during Super Bowl week when the NFL announced the winner of the award (Jason Whitten of the Dallas Cowboys) and held a play ground build event for under-privileged children in the Ybor City area of East Tampa. 

When I arrived on the scene for the build, Andre was already hard at work and had even worked up a sweat on a relatively cool Tampa morning putting together several benches for kids at the playground. 

Since I had spoken to AJ on the phone for a previous interview and he had read the first Canespace article he knew who I was when I introduced myself.  

As I watched him drilling and hammering on the playground benches and all I could think was: "Please be careful with those $20M hands!" 

My next thought was how can I get him to wear Canespace too?  Well, during a break he did agree to hold the T-shirt  up for a photo which you see here.  I think it is safe to say that Andre Johnson LOVES him some Canespace!

When the build was over the event moved to the awards ceremony where the trophy and $25K award from Home Depot was given out to charity.  After the ceremony, I had a chance to interview AJ in person.  Here is our conversation:

86Cane: So have you heard that the Canes just hired a new Offensive Coordinator, Mark Whipple?

Andre Johnson: No, actually I wasn't aware of that.  But I will tell you this: I am sure that if Randy Shannon felt like that is what needed to be done then I support that decision.  He is going to do whatever it takes to get that program back where it belongs.  I have a lot of confidence in him.  He will get that team going in the right direction.

86: Tell me about the whole Home Depot Neighborhood MVP experience.  What is it like to be recognized not only for your play on the field but also what you do off the field?

AJ: It feels good, really good.The whole process has been great, from what we did in Houston and what we are doing today in Tampa.  The project here today, with all of the (8) NFL players involved, is great.  None of these guys have to be here, but they all want to be here.  In Houston (at the playground build there) I only got to use a shovel to move some mulch around not like today where I used the power drill and the hammer and other stuff.  This felt really good to get involved in and build something positive for these kids out here.

86: This year you had a break-out season and were selected to your first pro-bowl.  What was the difference for you this year with the Texans?

AJ: Well, like I told you (on the phone) the main thing is I was healthy.  At this level, with all the players being so talented it's about who can stay healthy.  This year everything just clicked and I had the opportunity to make plays, just like at Miami.  I can get open, and if the ball is thrown to me, I'm going to catch it.  It's after that when good things happen.

86: Tell me about the Andre Johnson Foundation?

AJ: I started it my rookie year.  When I signed my first contract I knew I wanted to give something back to the community.  It really is set up for helping children from single parent homes.  I came from a single parent home and I just wanted to support parents and kids when I can.  We all (NFL players) have to remember where we came from.  I know I do. That's why I started the foundation.  We took some foster kids in Houston on a Christmas shopping spree.  In Miami around the middle of May I have a community BBQ for the neighborhood where I grew up (Andre attended Miami High School).

86: Canespace would love to be one of the sponsors for that event in Miami and come out and help out anyway we can.  Let us know the when and where and we will be there!

AJ:  OK, I'll do that.  We can use some volunteers and some of those free T-shirts you give out!

That was our brief conversation with Andre Johnson, Neighborhood MVP, NFL Pro-Bowler and Hurricane Hero.  Really, what more can you ask from a guy?

Five Questions With Ferman

I recently had the chance to once again chat with Hurricane insider and Canesport legend Gary Ferman about the recent recruiting class and the current state of the Hurricanes.  Here is our conversation:

86Cane: Which player from the 2009 recruiting class will have the biggest impact THIS year?

Gary Ferman: Without a question I would say Ray Ray Armstrong (#9 seen here on the far right getting coached up at the UA all star game in Orlando). I think he is an instant impact player and I personally expect him to be one of the starting safeties this year, perhaps as early as the Florida State game. This guy should be another Sean Taylor / Ed Reed like impact player.

86: Sean Spence and Travis Benjamin had the biggest impact from the 2008 recruiting class.   Which player from the 2008 class that didn't stand out last year as a freshman (or red-shirted) has the greatest potential to make an impact this year as a RS freshman or sophomore? 

 

GF: I would say probably Ben Jones, who will be in the heat of the competition on the offensive line, or Vaugn Telemaque, who I think has a chance to quickly develop into a starter at Safety.

 

86: Many Canes fans were unhappy with Patrick Nix and his offensive scheme and play calling.  How might the Canes offense change with the transfer of power from Nix to Whipple?

 

GF: I think they will change in every way. I think they will have a more versatile, complex scheme that will put a lot of pressure on Jacory Harris (seen here with Spence) to make the right calls and keep the offense in the right play. I expect a greater commitment to the running game and a greater commitment to using the backs and tight ends in the passing game.

 

86: Many fans feel that the key for the team to improve the OL and DL play MUST improve significantly.  Can the Canes offensive and defensive lines improve enough to meet the challenge in 2009?  If so, who needs to (or will) step up?

 

GF: Every single player at these 2 spots needs to step up. The level of intensity and commitment that they bring to the job was not adequate in 2008 in my opinion. If that doesn't get elevated, this team might not have a winning record this year. The schedule is THAT tough. There are no more excuses on the O line (Jason Fox seen here). It's a veteran group except for whoever starts at center. Dline, they are deep so they can keep everyone fresh. Absolutely no excuses for any of them to not have great years.

 

86: Tell us one of your a funniest or favorite reporting experiences?

 

Going to Howard Schnellenberger's office as an 18 year old college freshman in 1979 and being told Miami was now on a collision course with the national title, that the only variable was time. I laughed by butt off. And then it was 1983. 

Game Day Blog: UM vs UNC

Tonight your Miami Hurricanes take on the third-ranked Tar Heels of North Carolina in another ACC basketball showdown at the BankUnited Center.

Faith in Haith remains strong as he and the boys in the white, orange and green represent the small, private school in Coral Gables known simply as "The U" against NCAA power house and pre-season #1 UNC.

UM Center Dwayne Collins (seen here dunking over Duke) will not play due to a sprained ankle.

Canesince1982 has the play-by-play and the rest of you have the color commentary.  GO CANES!