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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/

Gimme Shelter

Sometimes even the strongest amongst us needs some shelter from life's storms. Today, our good friend VA Cane needs that and more. Now here he is, coming to you, in his own words, in his time of need...

Since you all are family, I mean that, let me share a little about my family. February has become a tough month for me over time. Good things, and challenging things.

My Dad's Birthday was Valentines Day. He was my hero, so Sunday thinking of him being gone was tough. The 15th, my son turned 26. He's the apple of my eye, my son I pass the torch to and a great kid!

The 18th my Mom will have been gone 2 years. She was the smartest person I have ever known. You could never fool that woman and she was very special to me. So, that's a start I prepared for this February.

But it gets tougher, much tougher. Friday night. my niece Tabatha Ann was murdered in her home by her live in of 10 years in front of a 5 and 7 year old. Never had something that tragic that close...man would never fight another man, then beats her to death in front of their children. I have to write the articles,  preach the funeral.

My 3 week old granddaughter, 3rd one behind Kensley and Lillian, her name is Elizabeth Ray, we call her Lizzy Ray, was ill during east coast ice storm. Went to the doctor yesterday, breathing problems, mucous, showing signs of cystic fibrosis. So folks, the VAC has a very full agenda, and as always everybody looks to me for answers, faith, leadership, poise. Not always easy with the regular stuff of the job, February thoughts, and murder and serious illness on top of it.

And we lost my mother in law in July to Alzhimers, so if I seem a little edgy, I dont feel bad, and was not trying to be a negative nancy, but you have some insight as to why!

You know old VAC, at one time. Long ago, the smallest starting corner in the nation in the 70s. Now the patriarch of a family,and while challenged with issues way more pressing than the field, will always be there for all. In the mix for the championships of the game calle Life!!!

I always advise people a simple saying: Let Go Let God. It works folks, cause Faith is what you have when there is nothing left to hang onto! Thanks for the time and will keep you all advised.

Please pray for my niece and granddaughter. I know you all will!

God bless all of you!

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/henrico-murder-suspect-faced-more-than-a-dozen-domestic-violence-charges-over-the-last-year

Learning To Fly

My friend and former look alike Tom Petty wrote a song with this title. Of course it was about something other than coaching college football. But it has its relative application to head coach Manny Diaz at the University of Miami.

Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well, the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings (Learning to fly)
Coming down (Learning to fly)
Is the hardest thing (Learning to fly)

Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
Around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I Think It's About Forgiveness

I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear

But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin on the phone
She said you'd found someone

 

And I thought of all the bad luck,
And the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside loves open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?

 

 

Butch Davis and Greg Schiano, if only you both would have stayed at Miami and continued recruiting and coaching the way you did leading up to the 1999 season and beyond, eventually to build the greatest team ever assembled on a college football field in 2001, you could have been the Bear Bryant and Nick Saban of your day. But you got greedy and moved on. Still, we forgive you.

I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again

 

I've been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

 

 

Larry Coker we all loved you then, but now as we look back, most of the UM fans don't love you now. You took over a uber talented team, with incredible internal leadership, and won a National Championship in 2001. For that we applaud you. Then you ran the Mercedes you were given into a brick wall at a 100 MPH by your failure to recruit. But still, we forgive you.

 

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?

 

 

Head Coach Randy Shannon was so absolutely sure to be a success at Miami that is was unquestionable. He had played, coached and worked his way up through the ranks of his beloved and esteemed educational institution so much that he could not fail. Then he did, and badly. Randy, we appreciate and forgive you.

The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things - we kill I guess
Pride and competition
Cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us
You know it doesn't keep me warm

 

 

Al Golden came long and he appeared on the surface to be the real deal and a highly motivated and intelligent coach who might be able to get UM to the next level. He decided to wear a white shirt and orange tie as a Jo Pa disciple would have him do. He worked hard, he tried diligently, he cared deeply and then he failed miserably. He was sent packing, but still we forgive him too. 

 

I'm learning to live without you now

But I miss you, baby
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again

 

 

There was no way ever in hell that experienced head coach Mark Richt, who came trotting down from Georgia, was ever going to fail once he was back at his alma mater in Coral Gables. It was a match made in Heaven for sure and without a doubt. He was smart, experienced and made for this very job. Until he wasn't just a few years later. Mark we love you. And we forgive you.

 

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

 

 

Now UM fans have Manny Diaz at the helm of this seemingly rudderless ship. Storm winds continue to blow and cross currents rip at the very foundation of once was a great college football program. Manny has shown some promise during his brief tenure at Miami but serious flaws have also been exposed.

 

We are not sure where this coaching staff will wind up, but in the end if they do fail, we will forgive them too eventually I am sure.

 

There are people in your life who have come and gone
They let you down you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby, life goes on
You keep carrying that anger, it'll eat you up inside

 

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thought seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me

 

 

I have always loved the Miami Hurricanes since attending my first game at the Orange Bowl in 1973. And I always will love "The U". But the joy they gave me from 1983-2003 seems like a distant memory. I'd really like my joy back please.

 

I've been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin about forgiveness

Even if, even if you don't love me anymore...