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/
Good morning all hope you are well. Things are well, got through my nieces funeral, know she is in a better place than me. Tab was not a person who lingers on stuff and I do not either. I have a special memory of her forever.
Coach L has had 3 tough seasons...and he is 74. I think its time...hes a good man.
Here I go on my kick again. I am so tired of Shannon and Skip show....or should I say the Lebron and tom show. SB is over.....yet its Brady Brady Brady.....like him but damn stop flapping those gums. Lebron is playing well...he is carrying the team...but they go back and forth about things that do not matter with him...Skip does not like him and Shannon does not like Brady. The 2.5 hours is repeating Lebron and Tom....I feel sorry for both of them....its sad when supposedly grown men continue to talk about 2 men...its obsession....and to talk about another man all the time....sheesh...its worship.
I always admired my father....he was my hero. I worship The Savior....he is all that really matters as far as worship.
I bet Brady and Lebron wish they would shut the hell up.
# 13 is the day...looking forward to a good spring....but hell I have said that for 18 years...sounds great then same old S**t!!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | March 03, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Brady said he was not thinking when he pitched the trophy.....translated....I was drunk.....you know it...hell if we ever get close to a title in my lifetime...and Im pushing 63....and I do not see it any time soon...Im gonna get drunk too!!!
another knothead....Joy Taylor wighead loudmouth....now her brother Jason with 140 sacks the real deal...he could play....her bloodlines do not make her an expert on football....she thinks she is...shut up and read the news....
I am not a big fan of all these people crying about contracts wanting more when they signed the original, demanding trades, wanting a say in players....damn man! Making money for a game and still complaining about it! When I played at my levels I went out and gave it all I had...60 minutes or whatever! Now all these divas dont play hurt take games off like Kawai...make way more money for playing a damn game...and cry!
Kevin Durant...he with that balding head....biggest crybaby ever....arguing with fans on twitter....and you can tell Kyrie Irving has no brain...got into Duke on hoops game not brain....the world is flat huh? Really.....that is just stupid.....so many of these people are brats...overpayed crybaby snowflakes...if they ever had to work...think...they might die....stop crying!!!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | March 03, 2021 at 01:44 PM
Alpine,
There are a few BBall fans on here. OGV loves basketball, he's even giving coach Larry another year but u are right, it's a football blog first and then baseball.
I beat The Crocs and then u lay an egg. In baseball, it don't matter who u play u can be beat. We know football is pretty much the other way around.
Posted by: The Herb | March 03, 2021 at 06:45 PM
This is a sad commentary on life....and The U...when K2 said he was a soldier....he was villified...too much talk. He has taken it a step further....he is a convicted sexual predator.....this kind of stupidity...yes stupidity gives The U a bad name...and the press is already against us. He has no excuse...he grew up in fairly decent environment I would think!
The stuff he did...per a search is horrible. Sorry 14 years is nor right....death by injection would be far more appropriate! JMO!
https://dailycaller.com/2021/03/03/kellen-winslow-ii-sentenced-rapes-14-years-prison/
Posted by: VA Cane | March 03, 2021 at 11:22 PM
Yeah, a homeless chick at that!
VA, can't watch none of those talk shows. All they talk about is NFL and NBA, no other sports.
ESPN, should be the Lebron James Sports Network.
Posted by: The Herb | March 04, 2021 at 09:47 AM
I go to see whats up....but SOS over and over...gets old quick.....since its not football season...I check out pretty quick...too much same old same old!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | March 04, 2021 at 09:08 PM
VA and Herb
What is ESPN you keep talking about? LOL
Posted by: AeroCane | March 05, 2021 at 06:16 AM
I did watch Get Up this morning...talking about draft of QBs, Big Ben....Greeny has a decent show. He is much better without ragu head loud mouth Golic....good analysts pretty good.
Anybody know if spring practice will allow spectators....FL seems to be in good shape re Covid, and Gov seems to be informed. We have an idiot here...wants to get rid of death penalty, has permitted parole board to let police officer killer out.....VA has really changed from a smart state with strong moral values to a madhouse of stupidity...
Posted by: VA Cane | March 05, 2021 at 11:02 AM
What amazes me, everybody in prison is innocent, no matter if they have DNA, murder weapon and eye witnesses and cameras.
Don't do the crime and u won't do no time.
There are cases where this is not true, that would be wrong place, wrong time.
When u start cancelling Dr. SUESS, we are in a world of hurt.
Say what u want about Trump but Biden is a complete moron and I mean Complete.
That is all.
Posted by: TheWordFromTheHerb | March 05, 2021 at 03:24 PM
Canes baseball getting crushed by NC St 11-5
Another dud by federman - 3 starts, 3 bad starts yet dimare keeps starting him every Friday night!
Posted by: AeroCane | March 05, 2021 at 05:52 PM
Three losing seasons in a row, but only one was unexpected and an outright disappointment.
Another of those in a row in four losing seasons consecutively will mean change is way overdue for the basketball team however . . .
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | March 06, 2021 at 09:19 AM
2-2 bottom of 3rd
Rosario far superior to federman and at least keeping us in the game so far
Posted by: AeroCane | March 06, 2021 at 02:49 PM
4-3 canes top of 6th
Rosario still pitching
Posted by: AeroCane | March 06, 2021 at 03:51 PM
Lol
Dimare in all his genius (sarcastic- a bad baseball coach however an awesome recruiter) pulls Rosario with us up 4-3 and Jake smith immediately gives up a run / 4-4 heading to the 7th
Posted by: AeroCane | March 06, 2021 at 04:07 PM
Canes win 6-4
Palmquist closes it out with 2 scoreless inning and morales scored in the 8th after hitting a double and kayfus hit a HR in the 9th
Posted by: AeroCane | March 06, 2021 at 05:50 PM
We start hitting, we will be fine but Federman needs to be shifted to the BP. Gofer ball waiting to offer up, with him on the mound.
Posted by: The Herb | March 07, 2021 at 12:08 AM
I agree Herb....we have lost our way...Dr Seuss bad? dunno on that one.
Maybe we can cancel the NBA All Star game in the ATL today.....I will not be watching...but the whole league is all in for China...but cannot get over the fact that slave labor makes the shoes and stuff they wear...and watch it on tv.... that why I question LeBron activism....he picks and choses it as he wants...not on facts...JMO
Posted by: VA Cane | March 07, 2021 at 12:54 PM
Canes down 3-0 in the 6th
Lala walks, villar homers, morales homers, del Castillo homers and we score once more! Up 5-3 heading to the bottom of the 6th. McFarland pitching
Posted by: AeroCane | March 07, 2021 at 02:52 PM
McFarland decided to walk the first guy, give up a single to the next guy, and I do love that dimare didn’t sit around doing nothing, he pulled him and put wanger in. Whether it works out or not, it’s the right move!
Posted by: AeroCane | March 07, 2021 at 02:54 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | March 07, 2021 at 03:05 PM