Chomp On This!

Winning a rivalry series is always special and the Miami Hurricanes did just that Sunday afternoon, taking the series finale over the top-ranked Florida Gators with an 8-6 victory inside Florida Ballpark.

The No. 11 Hurricanes (2-1) came into Gainesville for their annual three-game tilt against rival Florida (1-2). Miami nearly came back to win Friday’s opener before a resilient comeback win on Saturday. Sunday’s victory closed out the Hurricanes’ first series win over Florida since taking two-of-three in 2014 and was Miami’s first series victory in Gainesville since sweeping the Gators in 2009.

“It was a big, big series to start the year off and we know it was going to be a big test,” head coach Gino DiMare said. “The big thing I took away, especially the first few nights, is just the fact that our players never gave up. Even in the first game, we lost but we kept battling, and I think it carried over to the second game. We scored three runs in the last inning to tie it and that gave us the chance to go to extra innings and win it and taking that game gave us the chance to win the series today. It was nice to come out and get a big lead, but you just know it’s never going to be over. That’s obviously a very good program, they’re going to keep fighting and we were able to finish it there at the end. It was a total team effort from a lot of people, a lot of guys got their feet wet in this series for the first time, a lot of better veteran guys played well and I’m just so, so happy for our players and our program.”

After going down 0-2, leadoff batter Jordan Lala was hit in the back by a 1-2 breaking ball from Florida starter Hunter Barco. After Lala stole second, Yohandy Morales singled up the middle to put runners at the corners with one out and Miami standout Adrian Del Castillo at the plate. The third-year hitting machine ripped a two-run double and Alex Toral followed with an RBI single to right that sent Del Castillo home from second to cap a three-run first inning by the Hurricanes.

Stepping on the mound for the first time as a Hurricane, Victor Mederos showed why he is one of the top true freshmen pitchers in the country. The right-hander settled in after giving up a leadoff double to Jacob Young, striking out the side in first collegiate inning.

Miami’s offense got going again in the second, with Tony Jenkins leading off the frame with a walk and stolen base before scoring from third on a two-out line drive off the bat of Anthony Vilar that Florida shortstop Josh Rivera could not handle and resulted in a 4-0 Canes’ lead. The error extended the inning and the Hurricanes took advantage, running up Barco’s pitch count by sending three more batters to the plate in the inning.

The Hurricanes led off the third inning with their first homer of the season, as Raymond Gil crushed a 2-2- offering from Barco well beyond the 380-foot sign in left-center field. Gil, who delivered the game-winning hit in the 13th inning on Saturday, gave Miami a five-run lead after just three innings.

And Miami’s offense kept firing against Barco in the fourth, with Morales lacing a triple into the right field corner that drove in Lala to make it 6-0. Del Castillo followed with a hit-by-pitch, and Barco was lifted with runners at the corners and one out in the fourth. The Canes made Barco’s first start of the season a forgettable one for the second-year lefty, as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits over just 3.1 innings pitched.

Right-hander Hunter Mink replaced Barco on the mound and the Hurricanes had success against the Gators reliever, loading the bases before Christian Del Castillo smacked a two-out, bases-loaded two-run single that made it 8-0.

“It’s huge to win this series,” Del Castillo said. “It means a lot to me, especially that I’m playing with my brother. It’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing. I’m just glad to be a part of it and to fight with my brothers along my side. I’m very happy to be here.”

“We had a meeting the night before the opening game and I said, ‘look, we’re not putting on any rings this weekend. Nobody’s going to crown us champions after one series, but our expectation is to come in here and win the series,’” DiMare said. “I thought we just did an excellent job — everybody, coaches, players, everyone — of just staying very relaxed and focused on just playing a full game. Whatever happens, we’re going to lay it all out on the line and everybody’s going to play their tails off.”

Mederos’ debut was a good one, as the true freshman held Florida to two runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out five Gators over 4.2 innings.

“For his first outing, I thought he threw really well in that environment and playing against that team,” DiMare said. “I think both him and Alejandro Rosario, our two freshmen, really did a solid job. They’re only going to get better coming out of a performance and experience like this weekend here against the number one team in the country. Those two guys, I think they did a very, very good job for their first outing as freshmen, first college start as freshmen.”

Miami stranded a baserunner in the top of the eighth and Florida appeared poised to score with runners at the corners and one out against Miami reliever Ben Wanger. But freshman first baseman CJ Kayfus snared a Thompson line drive and tagged Rivera to complete the inning-ending double play and preserve Miami’s two-run lead.

DiMare turned to his closer in the ninth and Carson Palmquist shut the door in the ninth to pick up his first career save and clinch the series for the Hurricanes. Arguelles also made history, picking up his first win as a Cane.

“I just always want to be there for my team and be the guy that gets to pitch in the toughest situations,” Palmquist said. “When you get the feeling of pitching in a huge game, you don’t worry how your arm or legs feel. It means an unbelievable amount to me to get my first save and help our team win this series. I know everyone who is a Miami fan or ex-player is going crazy about us beating the Gators and I am glad I could be a part of it.”

Miami heads back to Coral Gables for its first home series of the 2021 season. The Hurricanes will open conference play with a three-game set against Virginia Tech beginning Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

From hurricanesports.com read more here:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/02/21/gators-chomped-miami-takes-series-at-no-1-florida/

Comments

[The Herb]

Well, the worm has turned. I didn't think they had it inem.

[alpine]

assuming worms actually turn, i agree with herb

[orange 'n green in the vein]

According to the complete morons in the sports info department in this image

https://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c672588834027880170025200d-pi

the 1989 football team was garbage and should look up to the 1999 football team.

No wonder Fake Lames is still employed.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Never mind, it's a baseball team image, which explains why I don't care and was mistaken.

[86Cane]

OGV...U got out over your skis a little bit there!

[AeroCane]

OGV
That was funny

[Terrance Sullivan]

Boom Baby! Let's Keep It Rolling Canes!

[86Cane]

DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING:

One day after securing a series victory over No. 1 Florida, the Miami Hurricanes replaced the rival Gators atop the Collegiate Baseball Division I Poll released Monday.

The Canes traveled to Gainesville, Fla., over the weekend to kick off their 2021 campaign against a Florida team that experts unanimously dubbed the top team in America before the season. Adding to the luster of the high-profile matchup was the inauguration of Florida Ballpark, but the Hurricanes crashed the party and took two-of-three games against the Gators.

“We had a meeting the night before the opening game and I said, ‘Look, we’re not putting on any rings this weekend. Nobody’s going to crown us champions after one series, but our expectation is to come in here and win the series,’” head coach Gino DiMare said. “I thought we just did an excellent job — everybody, coaches, players, everyone — of just staying very relaxed and focused on just playing a full game. Whatever happens, we’re going to lay it all out on the line and everybody’s going to play their tails off.”

[86Cane]

Now about the football team...

[alpine]

Manny Diaz named best head coach recruiter in Florida
https://caneswarning.com/2021/02/23/manny-diaz-named-best-head-coach-recruiter-in-florida/?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email

[nemo2020]

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
I never received the UM tumbler.
I'm not complaining, I just wanted to let you know.
Thank you!

NEMO

[86Cane]

NEMO...that is probably my fault for not forwarding your info to SarasotaCane. I will try again today.

[86Cane]

Nemo2020 and SarasotaCane check your email please!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Tumbler ordered, I'll email the tracking # when they send it to me. Tervis said it will be delivered by 2 March.

Go 'canes!

P.S. The delay was all on Soup! LOL! 😎

[nemo2020]

UM loses to FSU tonight in basketball. I think this was UM's 7th straight loss to FSU.

Fire or Retire Coach L

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Leonard Hamilton. What a basketball coach.

[86Cane]

P.S. The delay was all on Soup! LOL! 😎

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 24, 2021 at 07:53 PM

FACT