The University of Miami Hurricanes' baseball team wrapped up their five-game homestand in impressive fashion Wednesday night.
On a picture perfect evening in Coral Gables, UM came from behind to capture a midweek contest with visiting Florida Atlantic by a final score of 6-4.
In a back-and-forth affair at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, Miami jumped out to an early lead, fell behind, and then rallied in the later innings to claim the rubber match of the season series with the Owls.
Freshman shortstop Brandon Lopez, who matched a career high with three hits and set a new career mark with three RBI's, delivered a clutch two-out, two-RBI single in the bottom of the seventh that proved to be the difference.
The Hurricanes (28-16) connected for two runs in the bottom of the first inning off FAU starter Kyle Miller to claim a 2-0 advantage.
With Alex Hernandez and Tyler Palmer in scoring position after back-to-back hits to open the frame, senior Chantz Mack knocked in the game's opening run on an RBI groundout. A four-pitch walk to freshman David Thompson then gave Miami runners on the corners, and senior Alex San Juan delivered an infield single plating Hernandez from third to increase the lead to 2-0.
The leadoff single from Palmer extended his hitting streak to a season-best five consecutive games.
The Owls would respond with three runs of their own off Miami starter Javi Salas (5-4) in the second inning on RBI singles from Mitch Morales and Nathan Pittman sandwiched around a sacrifice fly from Sean Murrell.
But the Hurricanes would strike right back to tie the game in the bottom of the same inning, as an RBI single from freshman Brandon Lopez knotted the game up once again. With junior outfielder Dale Carey on third after a double and advance via wild pitch, Lopez dropped a single in front of FAU rightfielder Corey Keller to tie the game 3-3.
After allowing a single run in the third to make it 4-3 in favor of the visitors, Salas would settle down to retire the next 18 batters he faced before being pulled in favor of senior closer Eric Nedeljkovic in the ninth. After allowing six hits in the first three innings, Salas would allow none the rest of the way, striking out four FAU batters on the night.
With the game tied up at 4-4 after an RBI single from Mack in the sixth, the Hurricanes struck for two runs off Michael Sylvestri (3-1) on Lopez’ basehit through the leftside to gain a 6-4 advantage in the bottom of the seventh.
Nedeljkovic shut the door on his tenth save of the season with a flawless inning, helping extend a string of 21 straight batters retired by Miami pitchers to close out the night.
The Hurricanes next travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass., for an Atlantic Coast Conference series with the Eagles of Boston College. First pitch for Friday's series opener is set for 2:30 p.m.
Yeah Soup, it be nice to stack the Qb spot 4 deep. I read a while back on Canesport about this Town kid. What is he a Soph. this year? Loves the Canes but Sony did at young age Too!
Posted by: herbieibis | April 25, 2013 at 04:42 PM
Berlin was really good out of the shotgun, under center, average. He was always getting balls batted down on 3 and 5 step drops. We should have put him in the shotgun exclusively unless it was a hand of to Gore (who was too injury prone) or play action to Winslow in '03. That '03 team should have won a championship. If it was coached by a Nick Saban, it would have.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 25, 2013 at 05:22 PM
Quinton Flowers
Posted by: TJL | April 25, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Ohio, Hassan and UMike...what do U guys know about 2014 WR Johnnie Dixon and WR Steve Ismael?
Posted by: SOUP | April 25, 2013 at 05:53 PM
That '03 team should have won a championship. If it was coached by a Nick Saban, it would have.
Posted by: The Dude | April 25, 2013 at 05:22 PM
YUP!
That team still had a lot of the defensive core, from the 2001 team.
Posted by: CaneRock | April 25, 2013 at 05:54 PM
Berlin couldn't read a defense out of a play action fake very well, he set all those high school records in the shotgun spread before it became the passing team version of the triple option at that level so he never had any repetitions at it five out of seven football season heading into his Jr. year at UM and his lack of ideal height probably made the reading of a defense after turning his back to the play a little more difficult than it was for your bean stalk build Dorsey and Harris.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | April 25, 2013 at 06:45 PM
SOUP nice to hear someone mention Kevin Olsen... haven't heard much love for him in awhile. I'm looking forward to seeing him compete for QB.
Also, haven't heard much about Corn Elder lately... What's his status?
Anyone?
Posted by: roachcane77 | April 25, 2013 at 07:22 PM
He's probably taking returner roles primarily if he plays this year and they've tried him out in a very Dallas Crawford type of practice roll I remember seeing roach, so hybrid WR in three or four WR sets and plays as a RB motioned out of the backfield to the line pre-snap is what you can expect the most out his freshman year.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | April 25, 2013 at 07:39 PM
I wonder where Dee Milliner ot that watch? #$EC
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 25, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | April 25, 2013 at 07:39 PM
It would be nice to see someone step up and help Duke with those punt and kick returns since we are expecting him to carry the rock more.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | April 25, 2013 at 09:33 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: SOUP | April 25, 2013 at 10:12 PM