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

[AeroCane]

Nice article in the herald about the Ben Wanger - relief pitcher and DH as well if interested

[86Cane]

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

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

I blame it on Trump!

[KYcane]

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

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

That’s what HE WISHED she said

[86Cane]

TWSS

[AeroCane]

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.

GO CANES!

[VA Cane]

My niece Tabitha was laid to rest today; it was gloomy and cool, but it did not rain. She is in a better place and a have better life, reunited with her daughter who passed away in 2009. From my heart, thank each of you who contributed to Tabithas fund. We have raised over $16,000 to date; and we hope to keep raising money for her children. Again thank you so very much for your help.

Nice to be #1 in something....for me baseball is not my top choice but it is great to be successful!

Manny...#1 recruiter...anywhere? I dunno....how many good teams are in FL to compete against....not that many....Well Tompa Bay is good ...lol!
Other than UF there are not many good teams competing in FL....when Manny is # 1 in the country....and stops letting real top programs raid the henhouse...I will say he is tops....he did pretty good this past year.....but nothing thats gonna get us ranked in the elite tier....I've heard the same line since...uh...er...ummmm....2003....18 years of Exlax.....stop telling me lies....and like John Lennon said...."All I want is the Truth...just gimme some Truth!"....IJS

[AeroCane]

Federman just not ace material. 2 fridays in a row, he can’t get the job done! Down 5-2 to VT in the 3rd

PS VA, again our prayers are with you and being the music buff you are, yesterday would of been George Harrison’s 78th birthday!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Dang VA Cane sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers to you and your family.

[AeroCane]

Canes lose 5-3!
Let’s hope our bats come alive tomorrow And Sunday and our freshmen pitchers keep their bats missing!

[VA Cane]

Thank you all for the kind words it means so much.
Tabitha....or Tab...is in a better place and awaits all of us one day. I never look for the negative in peoples lives or deaths, as I have plenty of my own.
The family asked each person to sign the casket; it was beautiful. My wife daughter son....nieces...all wrote beautiful memories...some long and painful for them.
Myself, I left a simple but powerful thought as I know our Lord Savior and Redeemer has us all in his heart: The Revelation 21:5 "Behold I make All Things New."

She is new now. You all are special people and I will never forget the many kind words and contributions.

Hope the diamond guys keep rolling....and hope we can have some good spring football! We need to get up there at the top to compete again!!!!

[nemo2020]

Hi guys,

I just received the tumbler. VERY NICE.Thank you!

NEMO

[nemo2020]

Yes, we lost to Clemson in basketball today: 66 - 58.

I guess we are locked into 14th place in the ACC standings.
Not good!

Retire or fire Coach L. We need a new coach to breathe new life into this moribund basketball program.

[AeroCane]

Canes up 3-0 on VT heading to bottom of 2nd

[AeroCane]

Canes still up 3-0 - middle of 5th
Rosario has 5k’s and allowed 1 hit up to this point with a low pitch count of 66

[AeroCane]

AeroCane
Canes still up 3-0 - middle of 6th
Rosario has 7k’s and allowed 1 hit up to this point with a low pitch count of 77

[AeroCane]

AeroCane
Canes still up 3-0 - middle of 7th
Rosario has 7k’s and allowed 3 hits up to this point with a low pitch count of 88

[86Cane]

I just received the tumbler. VERY NICE.Thank you!

NEMO

Posted by: nemo2020 | February 27, 2021 at 06:12 PM

Nice

[86Cane]

Retire or fire Coach L. We need a new coach to breathe new life into this moribund basketball program.

Posted by: nemo2020 | February 27, 2021 at 06:19 PM

Yes, I second this.

[AeroCane]

Canes win 3-0
Rosario with a strong 7 innings.

And you know I’ve been saying get rid of coach L for a few years now - so Nemo, I agree!

[AeroCane]

2-2 heading to the bottom of the 3rd
Morales with his first UM homer - a 2 run shot in the bottom of the first - besides that, our bats are fairly dead

[AeroCane]

6-4 canes heading into the 7th

[86Cane]

6-4 canes heading into the 7th

Posted by: AeroCane | February 28, 2021 at 03:28 PM

Looking good!

#GoCanes

[AeroCane]

So gates and wanger give up 5 in the 7th
Down 9-6

[86Cane]

Looks like I spoke too soon?

#JinxedU

[Old Skool]

In other news ...

The Florida Gators’ control of the transfer portal looks a little shakier Sunday after five-star tight end Arik Gilbert decommitted from UF.

Gilbert is one of the top tight ends of the modern recruiting era. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound Georgia native was the nation’s No. 5 recruit in the 2020 recruiting class and the first tight end ever to be named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year.

[HerbieIbis]

Has everyone been cancelled. No comments on the U getting chomped on by V. Tech?
Does The Herb have the site to himself?

[alpine]

herb, nothin' left to say about this season; people's minds made up one way or t'uther

after the season i might write a years-end blog . . . but maybe not, since i already spent a lot of time on the last bb-blog, which began basically zero discussion
. . . canespace is a football blog

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Preseason poll had UM finishing right in the middle at 7th, reality has them playing in the bottom of the barrel invitational to end the regular season.

Since the AD would blow the replacement hire I'm ok with a coaching for the job season in '21-'22, no reason Beverly, Wong, Timberlake, Waardenberg and a talked into returning Miller with an improved Walker and whatever they can get out of Gak as the short rotation can't stay healthy enough to get to the NCAA tournament. Maybe they find a productive post prospect to add in the mix and really flex that depth by going eight whole scholarship players deep for a while?

[Harry Miller]

I think coach L should have one more year with a healthy team to play with before we make a decision
that he can't coach any more. It's only fair.

I only watch college basketball, i refuse to even allow the NBA to be on in my home. Not a baseball fan either except for the Canes baseball.

College Football is my sport, especially Miami Canes floorball since 1948.

[AeroCane]

Alpine
You’re flat out wrong!
You probably would of kept Coker 5 additional years, etc

[Harry Miller]

You should not assume something you know nothing about. Actually i disliked Coker from day one.

I did like Manny from the start, I thought he would turn out to be a good coach.

Alpine please don't come back with another assumption. I do not and will not argue with anyone on this blog.

[AeroCane]

Harry it was aerocane not alpine - you sounded so much like alpine I just thought it was him.
And again, you’re wrong. Coach L needs to go and should of retired or been fired at least 2 or 3 years ago!

[alpine]

that was definitely a HarrAero'ing experience:
. . . i just got in a canespace ghost fight
. . . until i didn't