Scarlet Knights Finally See The Light

Opening night of baseball season is always special. 

The sound of the PING of aluminum bats.  The roar of the crowd.  The taste of hot dogs with mustard. 

The constant yell of the world renowned vendor known as the "Elephant Man" in the stands:  "Popcorn, peanuts, cracker jacks and sunflower seeds."

Baseball season is back!  And while this may not excite some of you Hurricane fans, let me tell you that you just don't know what you are missing.  You do not have to love baseball to have a good night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. 

I am here to tell you that University of Miami baseball is where it is at. 

On opening night 2010 I joined 3,827 other Hurricans fans in saying so.  

From the pre-game celebration at The Titanic with Canespacers and other UM fans to the walk over to the stadium to seeing the orange clay and the green grass of the baseball diamond the event is special. 

Going to a game on the UM campus in Coral Gables is a unique experience in an environment that every 'Canes fan should have the opportunity to enjoy during their lives.  From the random screams of "RAG ARM" at opposing pitchers to the well rehearsed calls from the crowd of "BALL TWO, WHOOO" it is a fun, informal, family oriented atmposphere that is simply a blast to be part of.

On this opening night of the 2010 season, Miami pitched well and pounded the ball while spanking Rutgers like a misbehaving child at Chucky Cheese.  Using that analogy, the Hurricanes' hammering of the Scarlet Knights' pitching staff bordered on child abuse.  Thank goodness these were college students and not children experiencing this beat down in 305 town. 

And also be glad that The Maniac and blogger Cat5 were in attendance to keep things under control.

Miami trounced Rutgers 12-1 on opening night as though it was just for fun.  The stars of the game were starting pitcher Eric "Easy E" Erickson and third baseman Harold "Boom Boom" Martinez.

Erickson, who returned from elbow surgery in June 2008 to throw six strong innings on opening night in 2010, allowed only one run while striking out five.  Third baseman Martinez enjoyed his opening night by blasting not one but two home runs (one the bounced off the brand new electronic scoreboard in left field) for four RBIs.  Not a bad night's work by either player.

The Hurricanes play the Scarlet Knights again tonight at 7 PM and then Sunday at 1 PM. 

Get off the couch and get into the game.  Trust me, U will not be sorry U did!

Comments

[j.w.]

Evening. folks. Good to see the Canes baseball team doing their thing and making us all happy. Time to take Game 2!

[canechic]

Canes winning 9 to 3 GOOOO CANES!!!

[86Cane]

Nova...keep the updates coming.

CC...how's Angry doing this off-season? U all headed down to the Spring Game on 3/27?

[canechic]

I do not know what I am doing tomorrow 86 much less at the end of march, lol....everything in my life right know depends on first how my dad is, then work and then school. Maybe we will sneak down so I can visit Nicole and Dad! Angry is good...he is seriously thinking of joining the Army reserve, he took the test and qualified for an officer position. He has been training...hopes to sign on and they will pay for school so he can be a PA. I am not too happy about it but with this economy it might be good but the war scares me to death.

I will be at the game on the 9th to represent the "U" and the space.

[canesteeler]

Canechic good luck or better yet blessings with all that is going on in your life!

[86Cane]

I will be at the game on the 9th to represent the "U" and the space.

Posted by: canechic | February 20, 2010 at 10:05 PM

See U there then. I would offer to meet U early somewhere so we can all meet and ride in to UCF together but I know U would be TARDY! LOL

[canechic]

Thanks canesteeler :)

[canechic]

I will never live that down, lol!

[canechic]

canes winning 10 to 3

[86Cane]

It's all good Canechic. U can't be smart, funny, pretty AND on time! Everyone must have at least ONE flaw.

[86Cane]

Did Hernandez struggle early?

Ninth inning yet?

[Lurker]

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=868351&school=mifl&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&

Try it out

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

86, CC, and Raize, I'll see you guys out there on the 9th for the Canes game!!

[canechic]

I do not know...I have on gametracker only! It is now 10 to 4 top of the 8th. I noticed ted blackman is not on the team...I will need to check in with Lake Brantley gossip queen to find out what happened there...maybe grades..do not know.

[Lurker]

Chris Hernandez:

IP 4
H 4
R 1
ER 1
BB 2
SO 5

Not great, not terrible, did have 5 SO's.
Canes up 10-7. Reliever Grundy gives up 4 runs and gets 0 out. Unless he pitched yesterday, that's an infinite ERA.

[canechic]

UH OH it now 10 to 7

[Lurker]

Rutgers gets one more run. 10-8 now going into the bottom of the 8th.

Now I'm out

[canechic]

the game is on WVUM too:
http://wvum.org/shoutcast/index.php

[86Cane]

86, CC, and Raize, I'll see you guys out there on the 9th for the Canes game!!

Posted by: Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad | February 20, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Sounds good PLAYA.

[86Cane]

I noticed ted blackman is not on the team...I will need to check in with Lake Brantley gossip queen to find out what happened there...maybe grades..do not know.

Posted by: canechic | February 20, 2010 at 10:27 PM

I heard it was a "team chemistry" issue. He may be headed to - get this - FSU.

[canechic]

Wow well the blackman family is full of boys, I think there are like five of them...kinda of cocky. Too bad.

Canes win!!! three up three down!

[solarcane]

Boom Boom out go the Knights

[404Canes404]

Is it September yet?

[86Cane]

Boom Boom out go the Knights

Posted by: solarcane | February 20, 2010 at 11:00 PM

NICE!

[86Cane]

Canechic...there are some REAL insiders that hang out at The Titanic before baseball games. U find out ALL kind of interesting stuff there!

[86Cane]

Here are the AWAY games that I will be at this year:

3/2 @ USF in Tampa

3/9 @ UCF in Orlando

4/6 @ FAU in Boca Raton

4/14 @ FGCU in Fort Myers

4/23 @ FSU In Tallahassee

Posted by: 86Cane | February 20, 2010 at 03:14 PM

[raizecane]

86, CC, and Raize, I'll see you guys out there on the 9th for the Canes game!!

Posted by: Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad | February 20, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Looking forward to it........and I'll be on time, LOL.

[raizecane]

Does anybody know why Duke and Miami are the only two teams in the ACC to start spring practice in Feb. and all other schools start in Mid March?

[Canez1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/columns/story?columnist=powers_scott&page=potw

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

Just got back from seeing from Paris with love.

Good Movie.

I like Travolta as a badazz.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

U

[Daddeh]

U

[view from the rafters ... Bruce Hale]

MM01, I'm with solar. It's beyond a stretch comparing Jack to Rick. Barry could have played anyone and he'd have been great- as evidenced in him being great in the pros.

Posted by: Esteban | February 18, 2010 at 12:18 AM

and Dick Hickox would have beaten both of them, 7 out of 10 in around the world, H.O.R.S.E. and 1 on 1 first to 12, time and time again ...

ask Rick

[DZ8]

Does anybody know why Duke and Miami are the only two teams in the ACC to start spring practice in Feb. and all other schools start in Mid March?

Posted by: raizecane | February 21, 2010 at 12:17 AM

Don't know about Duke but I think I remember Randy saying it was to give the guys time to heal up AND put on the bulk in off-season weight program.

[Old Skool]

Wow early last night the blog had a bad case of Sun-Sentinel disease.

[JSQ]

From Paris With Love? Is that a new Mariah Carey song?

Sorry, Canez1, I couldn't resist! ;-)

[Cat 5 Cane]

UM 10, RUTGERS 8

The Herald News

Canes outlast Rutgers, improve to 2-0
The University of Miami used small ball to hold off Rutgers, with junior transfer Chris Pelaez going 3 for 3 with three RBI.

BY JUDY ERWIN
Miami Herald Writer

In just the second game of the season, it is clear that this University of Miami team is not the one that played at Alex Rodriguez Park last year.

With the last names removed from their jerseys to promote the concept of team pride, the Hurricanes have changed their approach to winning. The Canes played small ball, using speed and sacrifice bunts, to defeat Rutgers 10-8 in front of a crowd of 3,135 on Saturday.

With the score tied at 1 in the fourth inning and Miami junior Chris Pelaez at second base, the Canes laid down back-to-back bunts. After a sacrifice by Michael Perry got Pelaez to third, Nathan Melendres executed a suicide squeeze.

The risk paid dividends, with Pelaez scoring the go-ahead run as the bunt was placed down the first-base line.

``This is something we have been working on,'' coach Jim Morris said about the bunting. ``It's the first time we've done a suicide bunt since I've been at Miami. This team has got to bunt and run if we are going to score runs. We've got to do some of those things if we are going to be successful.''

But the versatile Hurricanes were just getting started. The Hurricanes (2-0) got a big lead in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on five walks, three singles and a sacrifice bunt.

``We got on base and moved people over and put pressure on them,'' Scott Lawson said.

The Canes loosened the grip late in the game, allowing the Knights to score five runs in the seventh. Freshman Jerad Grundy had a rough first appearance out of the bullpen. He gave up three hits and three earned runs without recording an out.

Daniel Miranda was able to get him out of the jam, retiring the next three batters.The Hurricanes fans also got a chance to see David Gutierrez display his abilities as a closer. Gutierrez, a senior who was the starter for Saturday games in 2009, struck out the side to earn the save.

``I was excited,'' Gutierrez said. ``I wanted to get those guys out as quick as possible. I always have to be ready no matter what.''

Pelaez, a junior transfer from Miami Dade College, led the team on the offense, going 3 for 3 with three RBI.

Lawson, back in the No. 2 spot after spending the end of last season as the leadoff batter, reached base five times in the victory. Lawson, a senior, was 3 for 3 with a triple and scored three runs for the Canes.

Chris Hernandez's first outing of the year was short. Hernandez, a left-handed junior, pitched just four innings, allowing four hits and a run while striking out five batters. Hernandez's pitch count escalated as he struggled with his accuracy, walking two and hitting two batters.

Hernandez, who had an 11-0 record in his freshman season, will get an opportunity in next week's series against Manhattan to earn his first victoyr.

``We have got to come out tomorrow hungry and keep our momentum going,'' Lawson said.

The Canes will play Rutgers at 1 p.m. Sunday in the series finale.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

coach Jim Morris said about the bunting. ``It's the first time we've done a suicide bunt since I've been at Miami....

He must have heard me on Friday night, as I was yelling " Bunt and Suicide" several times during the game.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins to throw the pitch, before releasing the ball. If properly executed, a play at homeplate is extremely unlikely. However, if the batter fails to make contact with the pitch, the runner is likely to be put out at homeplate (hence, "suicide"). Therefore, the suicide squeeze usually requires a skilled bunter who can make contact consistently, even on difficult pitches.

In a (safety) squeeze play, the runner at third does not take off until the batter makes contact bunting, waiting for more certainty that the ball will go to a location from which it will be difficult for the fielding team to make an out at home plate.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

But none was as good a yelling/singing to the Rutgers pitcher as he threw wild pitches, missing the catcher... and we score another run... "Wild Thing , You make my heart sing"... as the croud laughs in the background!!!

[Cat 5 Cane]

crowd

[JSQ]

Kevin Nelson officially has guts (you guys might say another body part). Big HUGE guts. Hopefully that translates into being a great MLB. If you are reading, dear, you just raised my expectations even more. Definitely LOF material.

I'll leave it at that. Haha.

GO 'CANES (and no. 52)!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Jello, you still there? How ya feeling girl?

[Cat 5 Cane]

Bazzball (As Of February 21)

ATLANTIC DIVISION
School Conference Pct. Overall Pct.
Boston College 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
Clemson 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
Florida State 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
NC State 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
Wake Forest 0-0-0 .000 2-1-0 .667
Maryland 0-0-0 .000 0-2-0 .000

COASTAL DIVISION
School Conference Pct. Overall Pct.
Georgia Tech 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
Miami 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
North Carolina 0-0-0 .000 2-0-0 1.000
Virginia 0-0-0 .000 1-1-0 .500
Duke 0-0-0 .000 1-2-0 .333
Virginia Tech 0-0-0 .000 0-2-0 .000

[JSQ]

Feeling much better, thanks Cat 5!

[8th Man in the Box]

GO 'CANES (and no. 52)!

Posted by: JSQ | February 21, 2010 at 08:25 AM

Did he say something recently or are you referring to his comments the other week?

[usagainsttheworld formerly known as 1caneinatl]

:::dust kicking up and blowing in the center of town:::

[Cat 5 Cane]

Getting back to the bunt...

In years past, we haven't used the bunt very often, except to advance the runner on first, to get into scoring position. With the speed we have in 2010, maybe this is just the new beginning of taking full advantage of our speed.

The bunt, The squeeze and the suicide, if used effectively, changes everything on how an opposing team defends us!...

Imagine the 4th batter in the line-up, batting 1st and he bunts to get on first... Then the 5th and 6th batters also bunt... The opposing team would be shell shocked.. Bringing up the 3rd and 1st base players... Saying, I dare ya! as we pop a little one over the 3rd bases head.

You want to drive another team crazy... Bunt, It works!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Of coarse that's fantasy baseball... Nobody would be crazy enough to do that!

HE,he,he except me

[Cat 5 Cane]

Alright... I'm out!

Time for some sun and fun!

[86Cane]

Daniel Miranda was able to get him out of the jam, retiring the next three batters.

KILLIAN COUGARS IN DA HOUSE!

[86Cane]

Daniel Miranda was able to get him out of the jam, retiring the next three batters.

KILLIAN COUGARS IN DA HOUSE!

[86Cane]

But none was as good a yelling/singing to the Rutgers pitcher as he threw wild pitches, missing the catcher... and we score another run... "Wild Thing , You make my heart sing"... as the croud laughs in the background!!!

Posted by: Cat5Cane | February 21, 2010 at 08:22 AM

As I was LMAO!