Behind a career day from catcher Garrett Kennedy and another strong start from southpaw Chris Diaz, the second-seeded Miami Hurricanes captured their NCAA Championship opener over third-seeded Oklahoma State by a final score of 7-0.
Playing without the direction of head coach Jim Morris, who continues to recover from pneumonia, the Hurricanes recorded their second consecutive shutout in just the eighth-ever meeting between two of college baseball's most historic programs.
"It was just a complete game, we played good defense, we pitched, we swung the bat and got some timely hits," said assistant coach Gino DiMare, who served as head coach in place of Morris. "I'm very, very proud of the guys and the way they played."
Kennedy, who paced Miami at the recent 2013 ACC Championship, contributed three hits to Miami's impressive 12-hit offensive barrage. The Davie, Fla., native set new career highs in hits and RBI's (three), including his third homerun of the season, to guide the Hurricanes (37-23) to a place in the winner's bracket of the Louisville Regional.
Diaz (7-5) delivered another dominant outing, scattering just three hits through his seven innings on the hill. Though he walked five Cowboys batters, the Florida City, Fla., native outdueled Cowboys' ace Jason Hursh (6-5) by striking out a career-high 10 batters on the afternoon.
"I thought Diaz was outstanding, as he always is," DiMare said. "He got 10 groundball outs and 10 strikeouts. The first ball they hit in the air was in the seventh inning with one out, it was the only flyball out he got. Chris did what he always does, he gets people out."
The talented lefthander, who ended the regular season with the second-lowest ERA of any pitcher in the conference, was the benefactor of hefty run support in the early going. The Hurricanes struck early against Hursh, as Kennedy's third homerun of the season made its way just inside the foul pole in left to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the second.
Despite pouring rain at Jim Patterson Stadium, the opposite-field blast was aided by turbulent winds blowing towards the outfield fence. The homerun was Kennedy's first since a May 12 match-up at Wake Forest.
"I put a good swing on a good pitch," Kennedy said. "Their pitcher is pretty good with a lot of velocity. He left the ball up in the zone, and I got a good swing on it."
Miami tacked on to its lead in the fourth, and it was Kennedy who once again provided the spark.
With senior Chantz Mack (walk) on third and junior Brad Fieger (single) on first, the sophomore roped a Hursh offering in front of Cowboys' centerfielder Saulyer Saxon to make it 2-0 in favor of Miami. The Hurricanes threatened to add to their advantage when a walk from freshman Brandon Lopez loaded the bases, but Hursh struck out junior Dale Carey to maintain his team's deficit at two runs.
"We watched [Hursh] warm up in his pregame and he was throwing it pretty hard," Mack said. "We were checking the scoreboard which had the [speed] up, and we knew he was bringing some velocity. All the guys knew we had to get our foot down and be ready to hit the fastball, because it seemed to be his best pitch. I enjoyed the moment."
The Hurricanes blew the game open with four runs in the fifth, chasing Hursh out of the game after just 4.2 innings. Junior Tyler Palmer opened the action with a double looped to left, and scored on an attempted sacrifice bunt from Hernandez that was overthrown by Hursh past the glove of a leaping Tyler Krietemeier at first.
Hernandez, taking second on the error, would score on an RBI single from freshman David Thompson, who reached base for the 26th consecutive game on the basehit.
With reliever Jon Perrin in to pitch, Miami strung together three consecutive singles from Kennedy, Christopher Barr and Brandon Lopez to take a 6-0 lead. The stint marked the second-shortest of the season for the 2013 All-Big 12 Second Team selection Hursh.
"Offensively we did a little bit of everything," DiMare said. "We thought we had to be aggressive with the pitcher that was throwing, he threw a lot of strikes and worked down in the zone. Our gameplan was to swing the bat, put the ball in the play, and put some runners in motion, which we did."
An RBI single from Mack, who recorded his team-leading 18th multi-hit game of the season in the win, capped Miami’s scoring at 7-0. With Palmer on second, Mack drove the second pitch of the afternoon from Cowboys’ reliever Alex Hackerott up the middle.
After seven dominant innings from Diaz, junior Javi Salas and freshman Jace Herrera combined to blank Oklahoma State over the game’s final two frames. The shutout marked Miami’s first in the postseason since May 31, 2009 against Jacksonville.
“I knew today was a big game for our team,” Diaz said. “I
knew I had to go out there and try my best and give it all I had. Today was a
must-win for us.”
The Hurricanes will return to Jim Patterson Stadium
Saturday for their second game of the Louisville Regional. Miami will play the
winner of the Friday matchup between first-seeded and host Louisville and
fourth-seeded Bowling Green.
#1
Posted by: Montreal-cane | May 31, 2013 at 10:10 PM
dame it.....2nd
Posted by: raizecane | May 31, 2013 at 10:11 PM
i mean....damn.....3rd
Posted by: raizecane | May 31, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Let's go Radz! Just do it tomorrow.
Posted by: Montreal-cane | May 31, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Santana
Posted by: Hurricane Warrior | May 31, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Good Luck to my CANES. Let's win this second game for 3.
Posted by: chuck martello | May 31, 2013 at 10:33 PM
Yo Chuck....good work and GO CANES!
Posted by: SOUP | May 31, 2013 at 11:49 PM
Not sure if posted. But Aubrey Hill.. named HEAD COACH at CAROL CITY HIGH.. WOW
Posted by: laquinton | June 01, 2013 at 01:20 AM
Good luck to my Canes tomorrow beat Louisville.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | June 01, 2013 at 01:32 AM
Miami’s top signee is speedy outfielder Matt McPhearson (Upper Marlboro, Md.), who stole 68 bases as a junior, is ranked as the 100th-best prospect according to Perfect Game, which would put him at the end of the third round.
“He’s one of the fastest kids in the country,” DiMare said. “He’s a quick-twitch kid, not a power hitter though per se. He’s a leadoff-type guy, but he’s strong.”
McPhearson’s numbers dipped as a senior as he dealt with a nagging hamstring injury, which the UM staff is hoping plays into their favor. McPhearson took his official visit to Miami in the fall with a number of other commits and could be part of a core that helps UM get back on top.
Matt McPhearson is Miami's highest-rated prospect.
Miami has five other signees projected in the top 500 in catcher Zack Collins (110th, projected 4th round), left-handed pitcher JD Underwood (153rd, 5th), outfielder Willie Abreu (175, 6th), outfielder Jacob Heyward (340, 11th), and right-handed pitcher Andy Honiotes (391, 12th). UM’s class is ranked fourth nationally according to Perfect Game
Posted by: Hassan | June 01, 2013 at 05:52 AM
Hassan I have watched Zack Collins play since he was a kid. He is the best hitter I have ever seen play in high school. I use to play softball with his father. A kid I use to coach named Michael Medavilla (lefty pitcher) is committed to the 2014 class and another kid my son has played with since the age of 5, Brain Big B Gonzalez a power hitting first baseman and power lefty pitcher is also committed to the 2014 class.
Posted by: Canesteeler | June 01, 2013 at 07:54 AM
CGNC and all you other PENGUIN fans get ready the B's are in town!!! We gonna take care of business...
Soup did u get my email?
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | June 01, 2013 at 08:57 AM
"The next year we go 12-0, nobody even comes close to beating us,” he says with a chuckle, reflecting on the 1987 team that went on to win the school’s second national championship. The Hurricanes won their third title in 1991."
Is the writer from the O-Sentinal a Croc fan?
The Canes won their 4th title in 1991!
I have to say that with all the ridiculous talent that wore the U on their helmets during that time that what often gets lost is the stellar coaching talent that was on the sidelines!
Posted by: Pre83 | June 01, 2013 at 10:37 AM
Prediction for tonight:
Pens win. Heat lose.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Hassan I have watched Zack Collins play since he was a kid. He is the best hitter I have ever seen play in high school. I use to play softball with his father. A kid I use to coach named Michael Medavilla (lefty pitcher) is committed to the 2014 class and another kid my son has played with since the age of 5, Brain Big B Gonzalez a power hitting first baseman and power lefty pitcher is also committed to the 2014 class.
Posted by: Canesteeler | June 01, 2013 at 07:54 AM
Way to recruit Vince!
Posted by: SOUP | June 01, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Hassan I have watched Zack Collins play since he was a kid. He is the best hitter I have ever seen play in high school. I use to play softball with his father. A kid I use to coach named Michael Medavilla (lefty pitcher) is committed to the 2014 class and another kid my son has played with since the age of 5, Brain Big B Gonzalez a power hitting first baseman and power lefty pitcher is also committed to the 2014 class.
Posted by: Canesteeler | June 01, 2013 at 07:54 AM
Way to recruit Vince, that is how it is done. U might just pass WWIN as Canespace recruiter of the year!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Bruins win, Heat win.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Breaking News Storm @breakingstorm 35m
Update: 9 killed in Oklahoma City area tornadoes; 2 of dead are children, Okla. medical examiner's office tells @NBCNews
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Bruins win, Heat win.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:23 AM
---------------------------------
Don't U put that hex on me, Ricky Bobby!! Don't U put that on us!!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:30 AM
I can't even imagine going thru what OK did 12 days ago. Let alone going thru it AGAIN now.
Wow, all prayers to them
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 01, 2013 at 11:32 AM
LOL OHIO, THAT WAS ON LAST NIGHT TOO
Posted by: canezilla | June 01, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Posted by: UpNorthCane | June 01, 2013 at 08:57 AM
UpNorth are you talking smack to the Pens fans??? LOL. BTW Cornbread is converted to a Pens fan and I turned him loose on a Flyers fan LOL.
Posted by: CGNC | June 01, 2013 at 12:15 PM
question: the Canes baseball team seems to be clicking with Morris out and DiMare running the show or am I imagining this?
Posted by: CGNC | June 01, 2013 at 12:16 PM
No no no. Ohio and 86 you both have it wrong
Pens win. Heat win.
That is all.
Posted by: CGNC | June 01, 2013 at 12:17 PM
LOOKING FOR USF TICKETS NEED 4
Posted by: canezilla | June 01, 2013 at 12:34 PM
This Date in Hurricanes History...June 1st, 1985...Brought to you by the UM Sport Hall of Fame !
The University of Miami Hurricanes, seeded # 8 in the College World Series, defeated the # 1 seed Stanford Cardinal 17-3
in the first game of the 1985 College World Series!
The Canes were led by Designated Hitter Greg Ellena's 4 for 5 hitting performance
with 2 Home Runs, 5 Runs Batted In, and 4 runs scored...and shortstop Rusty DeBold's 4 for 4 day with 2 Home Runs, 4 RBI's and 3 runs scored.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 01:23 PM
UMSHoF member Kevin Sheary got the victory with 7 innings pitched, allowing just 3 runs to the nation's #1 team. UMSHoF member Rick Raether closed out the game with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Canes had 19 hits...with UMSHoF member Calvin James adding 2 stolen bases and scoring a pair of runs.
Nicknamed "The Happiest Team in America", UMSHoF member Coach Ron Fraser's squad would go on to claim Miami's 2nd National Championship!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 01:27 PM
Zilla...If U want them I can order them for you. They are $40 each with a $17 handling fee, or $177 total. U want them?
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 01:31 PM
Zilla...don't U have season tix? If U do U can order them yourself on-line at the UM site.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 01:50 PM
IM NOT A HURRICANE CLUB MEMBER BUT I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER. THEY WANTED ANOTHER 50$
Posted by: canezilla | June 01, 2013 at 02:11 PM
What is the $17.00 handling fee for?
Posted by: The Dude | June 01, 2013 at 02:49 PM
Ticketmaster fee I think? UM charges it when you order tix on-line.
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 03:06 PM
Zilla...so is that a YES or NO?
Posted by: 86Cane | June 01, 2013 at 04:09 PM
Looking forward to the Heat closing this one out tonight.
UMike has it right. If the Heat goes right at Hibbert while he stands in front of the basket, then they are playing to Indy's strength. But they can take advantage of Hibbert and West by making them move on defense.
Hibbert does not move well on D, so if Bosh steps out to take a jump shot when he is under the basket, Bosh will be wide open all night. If Hibbert comes out to guard Bosh, then Bosh can drive to the basket and Hibbert will be at his mercy. If Bosh moves without the ball, he will have open looks because Hibbert and West cannot move with him.
David West uses his hands and pushes a lot, but he cannot cover Anderson, Bosh or James when they are on the move or when they drive to the basket. It seems that Haslem has figured that out - when will Bosh and his other teammates?
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | June 01, 2013 at 04:24 PM
YES SIR, THANK U
Posted by: canezilla | June 01, 2013 at 04:59 PM
Although it looks like Jim Morris will miss the Louisville Regional, but I hope he gets better. I have a feeling that this game against Louisville is going our way - Go Canes!
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | June 01, 2013 at 05:07 PM
Pens win tonight Heat going to game 7.
Posted by: Canesteeler | June 01, 2013 at 06:00 PM
BWC 1 lville pitcher looks nasty.
Posted by: Canesteeler | June 01, 2013 at 06:02 PM
No doubt in my mind Heat close it out.
Posted by: The Dude | June 01, 2013 at 06:15 PM
Canes up 1-0 over the Cards!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | June 01, 2013 at 07:02 PM
Canes 1
Louisville community college 0
Meanwhile, turds are shown the door at the regional after two straight losses and finish 29-30
Fire fat Sully
Where's six?
Posted by: Canesfam | June 01, 2013 at 07:03 PM
Wow. Canes got screwed hard core on that 2 strike bunt called a hit batsman. The ump has zero leg to stand on for that call. Game ball goes to home plate ump.
Posted by: BEERicane | June 01, 2013 at 07:54 PM
What the Funkhouser just happened Beer?
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | June 01, 2013 at 08:15 PM
Canes coming back from 6-1 deficit now 6-4 top of the 8th 1 out, Yep!
Go Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | June 01, 2013 at 08:24 PM
Canes score again 6-5!
Dem Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | June 01, 2013 at 08:27 PM
Sorry, 6-4 (Crown Royal goggles)
Posted by: NativeCane | June 01, 2013 at 08:39 PM
We got ourselves an intense hockey game tonight!!!!
CGNC and all the other Pen fans its gonna be an awesome series if the first period is any indicator of it.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | June 01, 2013 at 08:58 PM
I want to post something that says how stupid the idea of "NBA Style" is but have drank too much beer today and can only think of really un-PC to say.
Posted by: The Dude | June 01, 2013 at 10:03 PM
When will Spo wake up and sit both Bosh and Wade. If this series goes to game 7 and they come out playing like they have been this entire series, they have to sit. If Spo keeps them on the court, he needs to be let go.
Neither bosh or wade deserves more than 10 min/game the way they are playing.
Posted by: BEERicane | June 01, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Posted by: BEERicane | June 01, 2013 at 10:09 PM
And play who?
Posted by: The Dude | June 01, 2013 at 10:23 PM