The Miami Hurricanes are going back to the College World Series.
For the first time since 2008 and for the 24th time in program history, the Hurricanes will make the trip to Omaha, Nebraska as one of the final eight teams remaining in the 2015 NCAA Baseball Championship.
No. 5 national seed Miami, who won its super regional opener 3-2 Friday at Mark Light Field, toppled VCU 10-3 Saturday afternoon to become the first team to punch its ticket to the “Promised Land” of college baseball.
The College World Series appearance will mark the 12th for head coach Jim Morris in his 22 seasons at the helm in Miami.
“Just…wow. You know it’s been a long time since we’ve been to Omaha, so needless to say, we’re very excited, our coaches are very excited,” Morris said. “Our players don’t know what’s getting ready to hit them, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Miami overcame the shortest start of the season by All-ACC lefthander Thomas Woodrey in the win, largely thanks to a stunning cameo from veteran righthander Sam Abrams early in the contest.
With the game tied at an uneasy 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning, Woodrey loaded the bases with no outs on a walk, double and hit batter. Abrams was called upon in relief and promptly recorded back-to-back swinging strikeouts of the Rams’ Darian Carpenter and Jimmy Kerrigan, somewhat easing the nerves of the 3,680 in attendance.
When he induced a flyout to right from James Bunn to escape the bases-loaded, no-out jam unharmed to maintain the 3-3 score, Abrams (2-0) sent the packed crowd into a towel-waving frenzy.
“That’s definitely the loudest crowd I’ve been in front of,” Abrams said. “It wasn’t late in the game or anything, but obviously it’s a huge moment.”
Bunn’s ball landed in the glove of team captain Willie Abreu for the final out, shifting momentum in favor of the Hurricanes.
“He looked the same as he always does, so we weren’t worried at all,” said Abreu of Abrams’ entrance in a tight situation. “We had the same mentality: minimize damage. Then, one guy goes down, the next guy goes down and then you start thinking, ‘Wow. This is something special.’”
Abrams went on to toss a career-long 4.0 innings and needed just 54 pitches, striking out four and surrendering just a harmless single in the most impressive outing of his four seasons. He exited after a sixth and final inning to a standing ovation, having stifled VCU (40-25) for the entirety of his outing.
Morris called the crowd “great” and said the fans were “really into the game.”
Abrams, who played his freshman year in 2011 but was cut prior to the 2012 season, finished his master’s degree at Miami this spring for his final year of eligibility.
“I can’t believe that, having to come back for a fifth year from what happened my sophomore year, it ended up working out perfectly,” Abrams said. “It’s a dream come true, honestly.”
Miami (49-15) broke a 4-3 game open in the top half of the seventh, plating five runs to bump its lead to a more secure 9-3.
Junior David Thompson opened the inning’s scoring with an RBI single that scored George Iskenderian (double), while an infield RBI single from Brandon Lopez plated another run to extend the lead to 6-3. A bases loaded-walk to Abreu plated another run, while Miami added another pair on a sacrifice fly from Jacob Heyward and an RBI fielder’s choice from Ricky Eusebio.
Every Miami starter scored at least one run in the win, while seven of nine had at least one hit and one RBI.
“Our lineup, [hitters] one through nine, has been producing all year,” Thompson said. “It’s just a lot of fun knowing there’s no pressure on one guy. If you fail, the guy behind you is going to pick you up.”
Wow, a whole six seasons.
Of course he deserved to have people call for his head.
Lol.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 12:49 PM
@mattyports: The good news: UM's defense has a healthy amount of experience, especially on the back end.
http://t.co/NyqdtSDyFN
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 12:59 PM
I SEE-r at least one SEC team in the championship series in Omaha. Hopefully Florida isn't one of those squads.
By the way, not will only Morris' Diamond Nine have to battle Florida and any other future opponent in the CWS. The Canes will have to deal with 20,000 HAYSEEDS cheering against them! And that's because past Hurricane football teams BYTCHED SLAPPED their precious, beloved Herbie Cornhuskers time after time after time. LMFAO
Posted by: TheeMackJones | June 10, 2015 at 01:24 PM
"UM's defense has a healthy amount of experience, especially on the back end."
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 12:59 PM
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I'll let Soup take it from here!!!!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 10, 2015 at 03:25 PM
Lets hope our Canes are out of this mini slump in baseball. I know the Canes have been winning, but haven't been playing their best ball! Hopefully, all cylinders are pumping starting Saturday @ 8:00.
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 10, 2015 at 03:30 PM
I'll take the "mini-slump" all the way to the title game .... a 19-2 record over the last 21 games. Keep winning at that pace and we take home the trophy.
Win by any means necessary, by 1 run or 10 runs. Survive and advance.
It is the CWS and any thing can happen, some team may get ridiculously hot pitching, some team may get ridiculously hot hitting, or a combination thereof. Or some team may get an unbelievable lucky streak going. Whatever the case, I'm supporting my canes, and hope they get a little bit of each stated above
Posted by: Lur-ker | June 10, 2015 at 03:51 PM
@mattyports: Miami is working on hiring former OL Joel Rodriguez, a Fordham assistant, to be its Director of Player Development. @flasportsbuzz 1st rep.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 06:25 PM
Picked up another Juco DT:
@mattyports: JUCO DT Wally Aime, from Fort Scott CC by way of Olympic Heights, commits to Miami.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 06:36 PM
@mattyports: Recruiting: JUCO DT Wally Aime commits to Miami | Canes Watch https://t.co/RZPjSMy2GJ
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 06:48 PM
WWIM...this series is the King making the best of the WORST!...LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | June 10, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Soup I thought you banned his hatin @$$???
I fixed that typo for ya Rock! Thanks for finally giving the King some credit!
Posted by: WWIN | June 10, 2015 at 08:32 PM
"UM's defense has a healthy amount of experience, especially on the back end."
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 12:59 PM
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 10, 2015 at 08:35 PM
### For much of his freshman season, UM quarterback Brad Kaaya didn’t need to worry much about his blind side because of the presence of left tackle Ereck Flowers.
But less than three months from the season opener, there’s considerable uncertainty about who will start at left tackle.
Kc McDermott said today that he, Trevor Darling, Sonny Odogwu and new arrivals Jahair Jones and Tyree St. Louis are all sharing snaps at both left tackle and right tackle in voluntary workouts.
Jones arrived at UM in time for spring practice; St. Louis did not –-- he enrolled recently. Darling started five games at right tackle last season.
“I would like to be the starting left tackle,” McDermott said. We've had great left tackles over the years. It's a job everyone wants. It's a job that is going to be fought for over the fall camp….
“There's no coaches. When we're out there, we take charge. One day I'll play left, one day I'll play right. Somedays I'll switch in the middle of practice."
Taylor Gadbois started five games at right tackle last season, but his status remains very much in question because of a possible suspension; that situation has not been resolved, according to someone briefed on the situation.
In addition to a possible suspension, Gadbois also is working his way back from knee surgery last year. “He's worked very hard to come back from the knee injury,” McDermott said. “Once he gets back, he could be a big asset to this team.”
### It’s impressive to see the steps Kaaya has taken as a leader this offseason.
Here’s how McDermott explained it: “He's a great teammate, does everything he can for his teammates. I can call him at 2 in the morning, say 'Hey, Brad I need your help,' and he would be right there. He takes care of everyone on and off the field. He makes sure everyone is on time for meetings. If someone doesn't know what's going on that day, he sends it out [by text] to everybody within 20 minutes.
“Brad's not shy to express his opinions to anyone. He's not shy to tell anyone what to do. He does everything a great leader should do. He teaches the offense the way it needs to be taught. He takes control of the meetings. If there's a mistake said by a coach, he corrects it right away. If there's a mistake by a player, he corrects it right away. There's no hesitation with him.”
### Couple other things: Kaaya and McDermott both raved about what they’ve seen from freshman running back Mark Walton, who enrolled at UM last month… Kaaya said he’s 215 pounds: “I’m not Tim Tebow, running over any middle linebackers anytime soon. As long as I can move in the pocket well and do all our sprint-out plays.”…
Our David Furones has a story on Kaaya that will be up on the home page at some point tonight... Defensive tackle Walvenski Aime, who plays at Ft. Scott Community College in Kansas and attended Olympic Heights High in Boca Raton, today became UM’s 24th oral commitment for 2016.
By the way, kudos to Kaaya, McDermott, Walton and several others for working with kindergarten-through-eighth graders on football fundamentals for two hours today at Gibson Park in Overtown. More than two dozen UM players and staffers are conducting four such clinics in Dade and Broward this week.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 09:37 PM
@RyanBartow: 3-star ATH McArthur Burnett is back on the market, de-commits from #Miami. http://t.co/IgxOuVNG1L @DavidLake3 @jcshurburtt @SWiltfong247
Posted by: Go Canes | June 10, 2015 at 09:51 PM
WWIM...this series demonstrates how important Bosh was & is to the Heat's success. IOWs, outside of Lebron, neither team has somebody that's a consistent mid-range and/or low post threat...the best of the worst.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 01:11 AM
And what not...
Posted by: 86Cane | June 11, 2015 at 04:02 AM
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 10, 2015 at 08:35 PM
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I knew you were going to say that....LOL
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 11, 2015 at 09:35 AM
IMO McDermott is going straight to Flower's spot and we are not going to miss a beat.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 11, 2015 at 10:10 AM
IMO McDermott is going straight to Flower's spot and we are not going to miss a beat.
Posted by: Go Canes | June 11, 2015 at 10:10 AM
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IF he can stay healthy, I agree 100%
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 11, 2015 at 10:33 AM
HILARIOUS!
Dellavedova Breaks Arms, Legs, Neck; Will Play Game 4
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/dellavedova-breaks-arms-legs-neck-will-play-game-4
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | June 11, 2015 at 10:44 AM
^^^^I can't stand that guy!!!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 11, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Can't wait for September 19th!!
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/11/nebraska-announces-departure-of-three-players/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 11, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Darling or McDermott at LT is a good problem to have.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 11:09 AM
Miami-Dade County Commissioners are close to releasing a plan to extend a MetroMover loop from Government Center in the heart of Downtown Miami to a potential shared stadium for UM/MLS at the Former Orange Bowl site. The mover would allow MLS Miami fans to board the train from their favorite soccer bars in Downtown before the game and allow UM students the ability to board and attend games from stations near their college campus. These plans are in the preliminary phases but have huge support from the community and Miami-Dade County Commission – according to the plans creator – Commissioner Bruno Barreiro.
Though the plans are in preliminary phases, we know it would include a light rail loop from Government Center in Downtown Miami. The loop would go directly west from Government Center then turn north to dock between Marlins Stadium and the UM/MLS shared stadium. Loops have recently been built in Downtown to the Omni area and Brickell that have been very successful.
MLS and UM are currently ironing out the details for a plan to build a 40,000-seat stadium on the former Orange Bowl site. UM officials including Donna Shalala met with David Beckham, Marcelo Claure, Simon Fuller and MLS Commissioner Don Garber two weeks ago to discuss the partnership. The negotiations went well and plans have since moved forward. We are expecting to hear plans for a stadium and MetroMover in the next couple weeks.
Want to help bring MLS to Miami? The Southern Legion and University of Miami Fan Clubs have started a petition. Click Here and please sign and help bring MLS to Miami.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 11:20 AM
^^^^^^^^ Damn, $400M down the drain.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 11:21 AM
TD Ameritrade Park is a pitchers/defensive Park unlike the Rosenblatt that was a Hitter's Paradise. So the Keys for our Canes is small ball offensively singles, bunts moving runners over, steals, good pitching and defense. Gonna have to win a bunch of 4-3 games. #Strivefor5.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | June 11, 2015 at 11:47 AM
CaneRock
^^^^^^^^ Damn, $400M down the drain.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 11:21 AM
You're falling for wishful thinking and click-bait.
Where ever that article is from, it stretches the truth liberally.
Moving from a state of the art stadium shared with an NFL team, to an erector set high school stadium, with few or no amenities, that's shared with a low fanbase MLS team? No thank you
Posted by: Lur-ker | June 11, 2015 at 12:28 PM
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 01:11 AM
Bosh??? Chris Bosh??? Chris "It's raining men" Bosh???
LMAO! Thanks for that laugh!!!
You really gon hate when D Wade leaves to come join the King!
Posted by: WWIN | June 11, 2015 at 12:30 PM
Doesn't a 40,000 seat stadium seems kinda of small? It needs to be around 55,000.
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | June 11, 2015 at 01:13 PM
WWIN Def gotta give the king his due but I have no love for Cleveland the way they cried like school girls when he left burning his jerseys hating on my heat etc... then they want to talk loyalty smdh ... Bosh is great in his midrange high post game but I feel he is a bit soft generally. Of course he can come up big sometimes but overall imo he is soft!
In better news the wifey and I are moving to Nashville in July!
Posted by: fmcane | June 11, 2015 at 01:33 PM
fmcane...I think this misconception that Bosh is soft, comes from folks thinking He's a Center...He's not. Bosh is a PF, and if the emergence of Whiteside is legit, watch His game take off.
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 01:56 PM
Posted by: Lur-ker | June 11, 2015 at 12:28 PM
It's happenin' buddy, too much smoke...pack yo' $h!t!
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 02:26 PM
Dusty Rhodes RIP
Posted by: Old Skool | June 11, 2015 at 02:47 PM
Dusty's real name ... Virgil Runnels
Posted by: Old Skool | June 11, 2015 at 02:58 PM
Anybody hear about Rashawn Scott on crutches again?
Posted by: SinisterCane | June 11, 2015 at 04:43 PM
The American dream will never die Gordon Solie!
Posted by: 1canesfan | June 11, 2015 at 06:14 PM
Very nice to see Brad taking charge of things. I really like him, and hope we can put enough around him to do well this and the next 2 years. We have a good year, I see things finally turning. Got to play big boy ball!! Go Canes!
Posted by: VA Cane | June 11, 2015 at 06:15 PM
Yes Sir Va Cane.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | June 11, 2015 at 06:17 PM
@DavidFurones90: Trayone Gray has slimmed down. He was at 225-226 last season and this summer he's working out at 214. #Canes
Posted by: Go Canes | June 11, 2015 at 08:34 PM
Dem Canes!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | June 08, 2015 at 03:42 PM
Got the same problem w my in-laws. Whole family of gators. I'm a pretty chill guy by nature..... Until They brought my 10 week old son a gator shirt. I haven't been that angry in years.
They now understand my son will never wear anything even resembling orange and blue.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | June 11, 2015 at 08:41 PM
Phil Steele's 2015 All-ACC Preseason Team:
https://www.canesinsight.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30625&d=1434073485
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 10:02 PM
I know we have all been talking about our return to the CWS, but there are 11 Canes that made the trip to Oregon for the NCAA track & field championships.
http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=210143271
Posted by: KYcane | June 11, 2015 at 10:08 PM
The 11 Canes in Eugene headed to Hayward Field for the first time this year. While Shakima Wimbley, Alysha Newman, Taneisha Cordell, Anthonia Moore and Jamika Glades are back for the second year, Artie Burns, Christian Cook, John-Patrick Friday, Kelsey Balkwill, Precious Ogunleye and Amy Taintor got their first look at Hayward Field.
Posted by: KYcane | June 11, 2015 at 10:10 PM
Great job KYCANE for bringing that to our Attention. Go Canes!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | June 11, 2015 at 10:51 PM
It's happenin' buddy, too much smoke...pack yo' $h!t!
Posted by: CaneRock | June 11, 2015 at 02:26 PM
Let's put up some real money on it.
Posted by: Lur-ker | June 12, 2015 at 12:05 AM
@NashSports: ICYMI: Late last night the Miami Hurricanes added a commitment from 2017 Somerset Academy (Fla.) WR Daewood Davis. @daewood_davis #Squad17
Posted by: Go Canes | June 12, 2015 at 09:06 AM
@SleeperAthletes: Congrats to my man Joel Rodriguez (@CoachJaeRod) for getting the Director of Player Development job for the #Miami #Hurricanes
Posted by: Go Canes | June 12, 2015 at 09:32 AM
Happy to see Joel Rodriguez come back into the Hurricane fold. He played on some great teams and saw first hand what it took to become great and I think he will set that course for our players.
Posted by: fmcane | June 12, 2015 at 12:09 PM
@flasportsbuzz: From our David Furones, an odd recruiting story involving UM: http://t.co/NsChTMBWXN
Posted by: Go Canes | June 12, 2015 at 01:24 PM
That type of confusion is not good for business.
Posted by: fmcane | June 12, 2015 at 03:52 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 12, 2015 at 10:38 PM