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
my second ever post on canespace. WOW I'v been following you guys for almost 2 years . Keep it up.
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Its a cane's thing you don't understand. yamma yamma!
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Testing.. 1, 2, 3...lol
Posted by: Oby-1 | February 19, 2009 at 11:06 PM
KSF68...CONGRATS! U have won a Canespace T-shirt! Email me your mailing address and shirt size to:
[email protected]!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Go Canes!!! Trying to make it for Sunday's game..
Posted by: Oby-1 | February 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Hey 86.. I want one!!
Posted by: Oby-1 | February 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Some one here help me sing it - NA NA NA NA NANANANANANA NA NA NA NA !!!
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Ok... KSF68.. But I am trying to use an old Jedi mind trick... but 86 might be to powerful for this... So, I have to result to his kindness.. LOL
Posted by: Oby-1 | February 19, 2009 at 11:14 PM
86 didnt get to see the game Wednesday. What the hell hapened.
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | February 19, 2009 at 11:14 PM
1982...It was ugly. They shut down the Jack Attack COMPLETELY. Jack had his LEFT wrist all taped up. It must have bothered him. He may have been on pain meds because he did NOT look like himself at all.
Hurdle was NO help. Collins played well against the twin towers at FSU. Ashbury played well for the Canes also. The arena at FSU was ROCKIN'! So were the ladies...
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Oby-1...try again you must. Defeated you will not remain.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Some one here help me sing it - NA NA NA NA NANANANANANA NA NA NA NA !!!
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM
KSF...don't gloat. Act like U been there before. LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:21 PM
his wrist was tapped in the UNC game too.
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | February 19, 2009 at 11:27 PM
I have big time for some of the great games and love every ups and downs. 86 Cane I cant get through to you on your link. I have 2 kinders at the U at present. What do you suggest.
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:30 PM
1982...he was NOT the same. He looked slow, unsure and confused at times. I'm just sayin'.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:32 PM
I have big time for some of the great games and love every ups and downs. 86 Cane I cant get through to you on your link. I have 2 kinders at the U at present. What do you suggest.
Posted by: KSF68 | February 19, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I defy you to look at that stadium and tell me it hasn't been juicing...
Posted by: dj moonbat | February 19, 2009 at 11:39 PM
[email protected] works. Try again.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:42 PM
dj...U sure have been active lately? I like it! U workin' for a T-shirt?
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:49 PM
2009 SCHEDULE
( Click on an event for complete event information )
Date Opponent / Event Location Time
02/20/09 vs. Rutgers Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
02/21/09 vs. Rutgers (DH) Coral Gables, Fla. 4:00 p.m. ET
02/22/09 vs. Rutgers Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
02/27/09 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6:30 p.m. ET
02/28/09 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 2:00 p.m. ET
03/01/09 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 12:00 p.m. ET
03/03/09 vs. Rhode Island Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/04/09 vs. Mount St. Mary's Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/06/09 vs. NC State * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/07/09 vs. NC State * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/08/09 vs. NC State * Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
03/10/09 vs. Saint Joseph's Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/11/09 vs. Pittsburgh Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/13/09 vs. Duke * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/14/09 vs. Duke * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/15/09 vs. Duke * Coral Gables, Fla. 12:00 p.m. ET
03/17/09 vs. St. Thomas Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/18/09 vs. UMBC Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/20/09 at Virginia * Charlottesville, Va. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/21/09 at Virginia * Charlottesville, Va. 1:00 p.m. ET
03/22/09 at Virginia * Charlottesville, Va. 12:00 p.m. ET
03/24/09 vs. Ohio State Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
03/25/09 at Florida Atlantic Boca Raton, Fla. 6:30 p.m. ET
03/27/09 vs. Georgia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/28/09 vs. Georgia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/29/09 vs. Georgia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
04/01/09 vs. Barry Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
04/03/09 vs. Florida State * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
04/04/09 vs. Florida State * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
04/05/09 vs. Florida State * Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
04/07/09 vs. Florida Atlantic Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
04/10/09 at Clemson * Clemson, S.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
04/11/09 at Clemson * Clemson, S.C. 6:30 p.m. ET
04/12/09 at Clemson * Clemson, S.C. 12:00 p.m. ET
04/14/09 vs. Florida Atlantic Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
04/17/09 at North Carolina * Chapel Hill, N.C. 7:00 p.m. ET
04/18/09 at North Carolina * Chapel Hill, N.C. 4:00 p.m. ET
04/19/09 at North Carolina * Chapel Hill, N.C. 1:00 p.m. ET
04/22/09 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
04/24/09 vs. Virginia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
04/25/09 vs. Virginia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
04/26/09 vs. Virginia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
04/28/09 vs. North Florida Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
04/29/09 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m. ET
05/01/09 at Boston College * Boston, Mass. 1:30 p.m. ET
05/02/09 at Boston College * Boston, Mass. 1:30 p.m. ET
05/03/09 at Boston College * Boston, Mass. 12:00 p.m. ET
05/08/09 vs. Bethune Cookman Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
05/09/09 vs. Bethune Cookman Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET
05/10/09 vs. Bethune Cookman Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET
05/14/09 at Wake Forest * Winston-Salem, N.C. 7:00 p.m. ET
05/15/09 at Wake Forest * Winston-Salem, N.C. 6:00 p.m. ET
05/16/09 at Wake Forest * Winston-Salem, N.C. 1:00 p.m. ET
Posted by: 86Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Canez1-
You buyin' Ted Meline wanting to play saftey over wideout?!?
That's gota be some kinda recruiting angle right?
What's next........
Bryce wants to go to OLB, beside his brother??
Posted by: hurriphin | February 19, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Canez 1,
I too would like you and SuperCoop's opinion on this. I was surprised when I read the article of him saying he wanted to be a safety. It seems like a pretty good year in SoFla for every position so I'm not worried, just curious. Canez 1 I also agree that it's just a matter of time before AB shows that he is the cream and rises to the top.
Posted by: TLuv | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Bazzzball... It's... It's Going, Going, GONE! as the Canes clear the bases...... For a Grand Slam!!!!
Last year was a allot of fun!!!
Go Canes
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I cannot make it to the Hoops game saturday therefore I have three tickets to anyone who wants to go to the game. Contact me at [email protected]
Posted by: canesteeler | February 19, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Top NFL Factories of All-Time as by the NFL Network:
1-USC
2-The U
3-Notre Dame
4-Ohio St
5-UMich
6-Bama
7-Penn St
8-Syracuse
9-The MAC Conf
10-Tenn
Go Canes!
Posted by: Pre83 | February 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM
It's Tea time... Later all
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | February 20, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Last year was a allot of fun!!! Go Canes
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | February 19, 2009 at 11:56 PM
This year will be more of the same! Cat5 I gotchu covered for any game U want to go to. Just ket me know.
Posted by: SOUP | February 20, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Man, I've been cracking wise on this blog since before it even HAD shirts. The art is its own reward.
Posted by: dj moonbat | February 20, 2009 at 12:09 AM
OK, then tell us what the heck "dj moonbat" is?
Posted by: SOUP | February 20, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Well, "moonbat" is a derogatory term that right-wingers use to refer to left-wingers on political blogs. (Which is where I do much, much more blog-visiting than sports blogs.)
"dj" is, you know, a deejay. I have been known, at times, to spin records over loud, loud sound systems for crowds of people.
Posted by: dj moonbat | February 20, 2009 at 12:20 AM
After listening to the Brian Butler interview I have to say I don't think he's as bad as the media has made him out to be.
Posted by: TLuv | February 20, 2009 at 12:23 AM
dj...now THAT is interesting.
Thank U for that. U moonbat U!
Posted by: SOUP | February 20, 2009 at 12:30 AM
86 thanks for your excellent report on the Baseball team...
The best Baseball in America...Canes Baseball!!!
Let's go Canes!!!
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | February 20, 2009 at 12:39 AM
1st. This morning
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | February 20, 2009 at 08:31 AM
1st after 9am.
Posted by: DZ8 | February 20, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Do we get shirts
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | February 20, 2009 at 09:29 AM
HAHA
Posted by: Cane Since 1982 | February 20, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Phin, Tluv I think Meline has some delusions. You never know tho what he will develop into. I haven't seen any tape of him at safety so who knows.
We have way too much depth at safety for years to come. IMO he should stick to WR if he is looking to come here.
Looks like a good WR. but nothing special.
I think the 2010 class is going to be reserved for the best of the best. No room for borderline flip floppers.
Should be interesting.
GO CANEZ!!!!!
Posted by: Canez1 | February 20, 2009 at 09:33 AM
A-Rod tells another lie? Say it ain't so?
Posted by: canechic | February 20, 2009 at 09:49 AM
I agree Canex 1. This is going to be one of those years where Randy should have his pick of the litter.
As you are big on the recruiting, who would you say are the 10 most likely to commit/must gets from this next class based on predictions that are way to early at this time (just saying this since I know how some feel about talking about recruiting this far in advance even though I disagree)
Posted by: shwarma | February 20, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I heard this morning the actor that played a guy selling steriods in the movie the wrestler acutally got arrested for selling steriods today..haha idiot. He probably was the guy selling to A-rod.
Posted by: Canefantasy | February 20, 2009 at 09:54 AM
DJ I like that name!
Go Canes!
Posted by: canechic | February 20, 2009 at 09:57 AM
yes canefantasy did you see the dude? He is juicing too. Not only drugs but also resisting arrest!
Posted by: canechic | February 20, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Shwarm it is a little early for predictions. I haven't looked at who is leaving this year so not sure how that is going to play out needs wise.
I do know we need to continue to stock OL and DL. TE will be a concern as well as CB. I also think finding a top notch QB or two is extremely important for this class.
The good news is we can fill most of those holes with SoFla kids.
I will have to get back to you on that later on.
GO CANEZ!!!!!
Posted by: Canez1 | February 20, 2009 at 10:07 AM
"The only person that can stop Marcus Forston is Marcus Forston"-Marcus Forston
Posted by: TLuv | February 20, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Thanks Canez.
I think CB, LB, TE and OL are the biggest needs in this upcoming class.
RB and WR we should our pick of the cream of the crop since we won't need more than 2 of each(maybe 3 at WR) and safety is also a postion where we are stockpiled. And in regards to the DL, I actually think if we can pick up that DE from Hialeah that we will be set considering our first two DT commits keep their word.
Posted by: shwarma | February 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM
The 2010 class is going to be one of the best that the Hurricane program has ever had. I can not wait to see what happens and who we get. GO Canes!!
Canechic the guy is huge...haha
Posted by: Canefantasy | February 20, 2009 at 10:35 AM
86- posted on last blob but not sure if u saw, but i got my Sean Taylor tee the other day... very nice... thanks brobot, keep up the good work
Posted by: OceanStateCane | February 20, 2009 at 10:38 AM
LOL dj - I was wondering about the name too - guess I am a "moonbat" too :-D
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | February 20, 2009 at 10:51 AM
You are getting sleeeeepy.......
sleeeeeeepy.......
Posted by: hurriphin | February 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Damn I just feel asleep..
Posted by: Canefantasy | February 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM