Canespace

We Remember U

We interrupt our normal blogging on this Memorial Day 2017 to offer a very sincere THANK U to all of the men and women who defend our freedom!

For all of those incredibly brave men and women who have served in the U.S armed forces and who have literally put their lives on the line to protect and defend the United States of America this blog is for U.

For all of the courageous men and women who recognized that freedom isn't free and found it necessary to put themselves in harms way we thank U.

For all of those Army soldiers who have fearlessly risked their lives to defend our Country in World Wars, regional conflicts and in other military battles against terrorists we honor U.

For all of those Navy sailors, who save the free world on the open seas, without concern for their own safety to defend the world's oceans we recognize U.

For all of those highly skilled Air Force pilots and their support crews who defend our airspace with their incredible talent and ability we salute U.

And for all of those who served as a Marine like my father who faught in Koreaand served as a Staff Sargent in Camp LeJune, NC may God bless you and keep you safe and well. It's not easy being first in and last out.

We wish all American defense personnel and all U.S. citizens across our great Nation the peace, freedom and security that all sovereign Nations deserve.

We would like to take this opporuntity to wish all of our armed forces and all of our Canespace Nation family and friends a safe, happy and fun Memorial Day.

Miami Hurricane fans salute U and ask that God Bless America!

Final Four

Estela Perez-Somarriba of the University of Miami women's tennis team cemented her name in the record books Saturday afternoon.

With a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 26 Kate Fahey of Michigan, No. 40 Perez-Somarriba became the first freshman in the program's rich history to make the Final Four of the NCAA Singles Championship.

The lone freshman and only ACC player left in the field, Perez-Somarriba's triumph at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex marked the ninth time a Hurricane has won an NCAA Elite Eight match.

“One day at a time and great things happen,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said of Perez-Somarriba's historic victory. “She is progressively playing better tennis as this tournament is going on. I think today, believe it or not, was her loosest, calmest match of the tournament and it was definitely her best tennis of the tournament. To see a player peaking, match-by-match, as she goes through them handling the pressures [is very impressive].”

After the first four games of the match were holds, Perez-Somarriba registered the opening break to take her first lead. However, Fahey broke back to even the score at three apiece. 

Perez-Somarriba won the next two games to pull within a game of victory, but Fahey held to make it a 5-4 score. When service went back to her, Perez-Somarriba seized her opportunity and closed out the set.

In the second set, Perez-Somarriba won each of the first three games, giving her victories in six games over a span of eight, including four in a row.

Following a medical timeout, Fahey trimmed her deficit to one game. The players then exchanged holds, bringing the score of the set to 5-3.

On her first match point of the day, Perez-Somarriba clinched the Elite Eight triumph with a break, as Fahey sent the Madrid native's return long.

“When you have to play high-level tennis and beat a kid like that, it says a lot about Estela. Her unforced errors were at a minimum and her first serve percentage was high,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “She was able to vary the backhand and she was ripping the forehand. Honestly, she is a tough kid to beat when she plays the way she played today. Taking nothing away from Fahey—she is a great competitor, she makes you beat her and today Estela came up with the goods.”

The lone prior Hurricane to reach the NCAA semifinals while unseeded was current associate head coach Laura Vallverdu, who went all the way to the championship match in 2009. She then returned to the Final Four in 2010.

Perez-Somarriba is the eighth Miami player to reach the Final Four of the NCAA Singles Championship, with Vallverdu being the sole two-time semifinalist. Her appearance in the semifinals will be the eighth under Yaroshuk-Tews, including the seventh in the last 11 years.

Miami is the only team in the nation in women's or men's tennis to place a player in the Final Four each of the last three years. Perez-Somarriba follows Sinead Lohan (2016) and Stephanie Wagner (2015), with the former being a current teammate and the latter serving as a student assistant coach this season.

Related articles

Love Miami

U Are Smart, Pretty and Talented

U Are Smart, Pretty And Talented: Part Trois

Porter Says Hurricanes "Definitely Would Be A Top 10 Team" If Kaaya Had Stayed

Canes Advance

Sixth-seeded Miami owns a spot in the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship semifinals after rallying past third-seeded Wake Forest for a 5-2 win on Friday.

The Hurricanes wiped out a 2-0 deficit and two home runs by the Demon Deacons' Stuart Fairchild by scoring five runs in their final two at-bats. Johnny Ruiz sparked Miami, scoring the tying run in the eighth inning and delivering a two-run double in the ninth that capped the scoring.

Wake Forest loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Nick DiPonzio lined a hard shot to the right side, but the ball glanced off Demon Deacon baserunner Keegan Maronpot for the final out of the game.

Miami (31-26) moves on to Saturday's 5 p.m. semifinal game and will face the Pool B winner – second-seeded North Carolina or seventh-seeded NC State – for the right to play in Sunday's title game.

Despite the loss, Wake Forest (39-18) remains a prime candidate to host an NCAA regional. The 16 host teams will be announced Sunday night at 8:30 p.m., followed by the unveiling of the entire 64-team field on Monday at noon.

Related articles

Love Miami

The Host With The Most

Canespace: The NFLU: Nine Hurricanes Selected In 2017 Draft

Vote For Vogel

Prime Time

The University of Miami's Week 3 game at in-state rival Florida State on Sept. 16 will be televised nationally by ABC at 8 p.m., the Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN announced Thursday.

This is the Hurricanes' first ABC prime-time appearance since last year's game against the Seminoles on Oct. 8, 2016, in Miami Gardens.

Miami has played Florida State 61 times, more than any other opponent. The last year the Hurricanes and Seminoles did not meet was 1968. This year's game is the earliest between the two teams since Sept. 7, 2009, when the Hurricanes opened the season with a 38-34 win at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The kickoff times for the rest of the Hurricanes' 2017 games will be announced at a later date. Miami's 2017 schedule features seven games at Hard Rock Stadium, starting with Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 2.

The Hurricanes return 18 starters from last year's squad that finished 9-4, winning its final five games, capturing its first bowl win in 10 years and finishing the year ranked in the AP and Amway Coaches Polls for the first time since 2009.

Related articles

Canespace: The NFLU: Nine Hurricanes Selected In 2017 Draft

All About The U: The Newman Alumni Center

Vote For Vogel

U Are Smart, Pretty and Talented: Part Deux

The Shot Heard Around The ACC

The seniors saved their best for last.

Johnny Ruiz hit a two-run home run, Joe Gomez and Christopher Barr combined for three hits, and Edgar Michelangeli capped Miami's regular season with a walk-off, three-run home run, as the Hurricanes finished off their first weekend sweep of the year with a 7-5 win over Virginia Tech in 10 innings.

Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the 10^th, Miami rallied for two walks and three hits – none bigger than the Michelangeli blast - in a thrilling finish in front of 3,039 fans.

Six of Miami's nine hits on the afternoon came from the team's senior class, who were likely playing in the final game of their careers at Mark Light Field.

Virginia Tech (23-32, 9-21 ACC) took its first lead of the game on a three-run home run in the top half of the tenth, as Raheim Cooper put the visitors ahead late against reliever Frankie Bartow.

Freshman Albert Maury (3-1) recorded the final out of the inning after entering in relief of Bartow, who allowed four hits in 0.2 innings.

Miami would not go quietly.

Junior James Davison opened the 10^th with a walk and junior Carl Chester doubled to put two runners on with no outs for Ruiz.

The co-captain came up with the first big hit of the inning, a two-RBI single to left on the ninth pitch he saw from Hokies reliever Aaron McGarity (2-6) to trim the lead to 5-4.

Freshman Nico Baldor, who entered as a pinch hitter earlier in the game, drew a two-out walk to extend the game and set the stage.

Michelangeli, who fell behind 0-2 in the count, once again came through with late theatrics, sending Miami to its first four-game winning streak of the season.

The Hurricanes (29-26, 16-13 ACC) who swept a doubleheader Friday to secure their fifth series win in the last seven weekends, will open up the postseason next week at the 2017 ACC Baseball Championship in Louisville, Ky.

Related articles

Canes Score Three TDs, Hold Columbia To A FG

Canespace: Bargfeldt Is Boss

The Host With The Most

Canespace: Canes Win, Canes Win, Canes Win!

Bargfeldt Is Boss

For the second straight weekend, junior lefthander Jeb Bargfeldt guided Miami to victory in the front end of a doubleheader.

A week after tossing a complete game at No. 10 Virginia, Bargfeldt (7-3) delivered another vintage outing to lead the host Hurricanes to a 4-2 win over visiting Virginia Tech at Mark Light Field.

“Just locating the fastball,” Bargfeldt said about his key to success in the opener. “The game gets a lot easier when you're able to do that. Even though I didn't have great command of other pitches, as long as it was put in play, the defense once again made several spectacular plays.”

Bargfeldt tossed at least seven innings for the fifth time this season. He allowed just one run on four hits across 90 pitches, but with the ACC Championship looming next weekend in Louisville, Ky., was removed before the start of the eighth with Miami ahead 3-1.

Bargfeldt credited his defense with another successful outing, as Miami looked to capture the season series in Game 2 at 7 p.m.

“When they [make plays], it gives you more confidence to attack the zone, let them get themselves out,” Bargfeldt said. “Carl [Chester] had 10 putouts in the outfield in center today. It goes to show you if you pound the zone and let your defense work, the game gets a lot easier.”

Miami out-hit the Hokies (23-30, 9-19 ACC) 10-6, with eight of nine starters recording at least one hit.

Other than a third-inning solo home run from Jack Owens, Bargfeldt kept the Hokies almost entirely off the base paths for the first five innings.

The Owasso, Okla., native and ace southpaw retired nine of the next 10 batters following the solo shot.

Trailing 1-0 in the early going, the Hurricanes tied the game in the fourth on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze.

With runners on the corners and one out, Joe Gomez dropped a sacrifice bunt towards first base to plate fellow senior Edgar Michelangeli, who connected on a one-out bunt single earlier in the inning.

The Hurricanes (27-26, 14-13 ACC) took their first lead of the game an inning later.

With Chester on third base after a leadoff double and wild pitch from Virginia Tech starter Connor Coward, senior Johnny Ruiz connected on an RBI groundout to short for a 2-1 lead.

Bargfeldt ran into a brief moment of trouble in the sixth, when Owens connected on a single and Hokies slugger Tom Stoffel followed with a double to right.

But the lefthander skirted any damage, however, getting cleanup hitter Sam Fragale on a flyout to center to keep the Hurricanes ahead 2-1.

Bargfeldt allowed a harmless single in a quick seventh inning, punctuating his outing with a strikeout of catcher Joe Freiday, Jr.

“I kept my mindset the same. With the doubleheader today, I wanted to keep the bullpen as strong and as fresh as possible,” Bargfeldt said. “My mindset didn't change. I just tried to stay focused, and they let me keep the ball [in the seventh] and I was able to get it done.”

All About The U: The Newman Alumni Center

I have spent more time than most people on the beautiful campus of the University of Miami. Here is the detailed story behind my experience.

 
Between 1981 and 1986 I attended UM and graduated with honors with a degree in Psychology and Communications. After graduating, I spent four years working in the facilities maintenance department as a Supervisor for academic facilities and then as a Manager in the residence halls area of campus. 

As a result of these many unique and rewarding experiences I have been in, around and through practically every building on the UM campus. 

 
As a fan of Hurricane athletics I have regularly returned to the lovely Coral Gables campus to attend the many UM sports events held on campus. 

While attending UM baseball and basketball games I have often admired the many new and/or upgraded facilities and the incredible lush, tropical landscaping that makes the University of Miami campus so special.

 
Several years ago I once again had the opportunity to be on campus to attend the UM vs FSU baseball game. 

I took advantage of the opportunity to attend the UMAA "Burgers and Baseball" event at the the new Newman Alumni Center which is located directly across the street from the recently and completely renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

 
The new Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center is top shelf in every aspect and is truly nothing short of spectacular. The 72,000 square foot facility that opened in October of 2010 is an attractive, well designed and highly functional building that is packed full of comfortable spaces. 

Built at a cost of $25.2 million the Newman Alumni Center was constructed completely from the generous donations of UM alumni and supporters. 

With more than 9,500 square feet of indoor event space and over 4,000 square feet of outdoor event space the Center is the ideal location for all kinds of events both large and small. 

 
There is a spacious living room that is comfortably furnished and has a large wall mural (seen above) reflecting the history of the University, a lushly landscaped courtyard area, a large multi-purpose room, a cozy library complete with fireplace, a smaller formal executive conference room and a business center with six computers for alumni to use when they visit (seen below). 

 
The appropriately named Sebastian's Cafe is a small, casual eatery at the front of the facility for those looking to grab a quick bite before, during or after events at the Center.

I had the chance to speak briefly with the always friendly and energetic Tricia Brodeur, the Executive Director of Alumni Programs at UM, and also managed to catch up with Andy Vittor, a friend and fan of Canespace who also works for the UMAA at the sparkling new Newman Center.

 
"We love our new home!" Brodeur was eager to say about the new UMAA facility.

"It is a wonderful place for UM alumni to visit, work, celebrate and remember.  We have already hosted numerous special events at the Newman Alumni Center which has so many great spaces to utilize.  This outstanding facility gives us the opportunity to host several different events at the same time."

 
Brodeur was also confident that the UMAA mission would be enhanced by the new facility. 

"We see the Newman Alumni Center as a great place for UM alumni to reconnect to the University in a very positive way.  Our goal is to create a comfortable, welcoming environment that will encourage all of our 156,000 alumni to visit our constantly growing and incredibly beautiful campus." 

Brodeur continued by stating, "This new facility and really the entire campus is one that all UM students, alumni, employees and fans can be very proud of." 

 
And I couldn't agree more. 

In fact, if you have a chance, I recommend that you visit the Newman Alumni Center as soon as possible.  Having been in and around every building on campus I can tell you from experience that it is a very special place on a very unique and beautiful campus.

 

What more could a University of Miami Alumni and Hurricane fan ask for?

Canes Beat Cookman

Sophomore Romy Gonzalez hit two home runs, senior Joe Gomez delivered a timely late hit, and host Miami topped Bethune-Cookman 6-5 Friday night at Mark Light Field.

The Hurricanes took early leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but the Wildcats went ahead with a three-run fourth inning to chase Miami lefthander Jeb Bargfeldt early.

Miami (23-22) battled back, taking advantage of two Bethune-Cookman errors in the seventh inning to tie the game 5-5.

Gomez delivered the go-ahead double in the bottom of the eighth, and sophomore closer Frankie Bartow recorded his 11^th save in the ninth to seal the win in front of 2,372 fans.

 

Gonzalez put Miami ahead in the first inning with a two-run home run to right field off Wildcats starter Anthony Maldonado.

Two innings later, and with his team ahead 2-1, Gonzalez again showed his strength with his second opposite-field homer of the game, bringing his team-leading home run total to 10.

Related articles

'Canes Continue Hot Streak As Thompson Catches Fire

Canespace: Canes Win, Canes Win, Canes Win!

Which Way to Omaha?

Breaking New Ground

The University of Miami held its official groundbreaking ceremony for the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility Thursday at the future site of the building on the Greentree Practice Fields.

University of Miami President Julio Frenk, Director of Athletics Blake James, head football coach Mark Richt, Mayor of Coral Gables Raúl Valdés-Fauli and Carol Soffer, the namesake of the building, were among those who took part in the ceremony, which marked a major milestone in the project, expected to open in fall of 2018.

To date, just over $32 million of the $34 million needed for construction has been raised through the generosity of Hurricane supporters across the nation.

The Soffer Family's lead commitment of $14 million, the largest gift in University of Miami Athletics history, was announced in September 2016.

”The Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility will go a long way towards strengthening our commitment to building champions,” James said. “We are thrilled and humbled that so many Hurricanes alumni, fans and former players – and especially the Soffer Family -- have stepped forward to help fund this ambitious project.” 

The 81,800-square-foot facility will feature two field-turf fields – one 80 yards long, and an additional 40-yard field directly connecting to the Squillante Strength and Conditioning Center. The facility will feature interconnectivity to the Hecht Athletic Center.

“The Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility will help support and strengthen our student-athletes' ability to perform and compete at the highest levels,” said UM President Julio Frenk. “Hurricane Athletics' quest of ‘Building Champions' complements the University's ‘Roadmap to our New Century' and enhances our commitment to overall excellence.”

Related articles

Love Miami

Canes Spring Notebook: Injury Updates, Spring Scrimmage & Recruiting

Canespace: Kings Of Spring: Part II

The Wizard Of College Baseball

The NFLU: Nine Hurricanes Selected In 2017 Draft

The University of Miami football program had nine former players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.

The nine Hurricanes chosen in the draft are the most since Miami had nine players selected in 2006. This year's NFL Draft class marks the eighth time in the modern era that the Hurricanes have had nine-or-more players drafted (2017, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1988).

The Hurricanes have now had five or more players taken in the NFL Draft 25 times since 1980.

In addition, Miami has had 336 players (260 in the modern era) selected in the NFL or AFL Draft all time, a figure that leads the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Tight end David Njoku's selection by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday marked the 64th time a Hurricane had been taken in the first round. Miami has now had at least one player taken in the NFL Draft in 43 consecutive seasons.

MODERN DRAFT ERA (1970-PRESENT)
YEAR	RD	PK	NAME, POS.	TEAM
2017 (9)	1	29	David Njoku, TE	Cleveland Browns
	4	113	Rayshawn Jenkins, DB	Los Angeles Chargers
	5	152	Corn Elder, DB	Carolina Panthers
	5	180	Danny Isidora, OL	Minnesota Vikings
	6	196	Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL	New Orleans Saints
	6	215	Brad Kaaya, QB	Detroit Lions
	7	219	Stacy Coley, WR	Minnesota Vikings
	7	229	Adrian Colbert, DB	San Francisco 49ers
	7	124	Marquez Williams, FB	Jacksonville Jaguars