No. 20 Miami Baseball Defeats Appalachian State, 6-3

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 20 University of Miami baseball team scored a season-high six runs, while giving up no earned runs, to defeat visiting Appalachian State, 6-3, on Thursday night to open the three-game series at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Fla.

The Hurricanes (3-2) handed the Mountaineers (4-1) their first loss of the season with solid pitching that helped overcome four errors on defense.

UMiami freshman pitcher Adam Sargent and junior hurler Sam Robinson combined for four scoreless frames to conclude the contest, as Robinson collected his first career save with a flawless ninth inning. Neither team scored over the final five frames as both bullpens stood tough, allowing a combined three hits.

Miami struck first as sophomore left fielder Zeke DeVoss scored on a single by Michael Broad after getting aboard via a walk and stealing second. However, Appalachian State quickly took the lead away as ASU scored two runs in the top of the second on a combination of errors and a wild pitch.

It was the bottom of the second inning in which the ‘Canes took control of the game for good.

Freshman first baseman Brad Fieger led off the inning for the ‘Canes with a single to right field, and a wild pitch sent him to second.  Designated hitter Rony Rodriguez later plated Fieger with his first double of the year.

Rodriguez then put the ‘Canes up for good when shortstop Stephen Perez hit a triple to right field.  Perez made it a two-run game as he was sent home on an RBI single by DeVoss, giving UM the 4-2 advantage after two innings of play.

UMiami added a run in the third, making it a three-run game.

After Nathan Melendres hit his first triple of the year—Miami’s second of the game, Rodriguez distracted the defense in a rundown, while Melendres snuck home for a 5-2 Hurricanes lead.

Both teams added one run in the fourth for the final tally of the game.

UM freshman pitcher Bryan Radziewski (1-0, 0.82 ERA), in his second start of the year as a series starter, went five strong innings, giving up three runs—none of which were earned, while throwing seven strikeouts to get the win.

Taking the loss for the Mountaineers was starter Nathan Hyatt (1-1, 4.09 ERA) who went six innings, giving up five earned runs, throwing 107 pitches. He entered the game with a 0.00 ERA after earning a shutout victory from Maryland-Eastern Shore a week ago in North Carolina.

Miami was led at the plate by eight players collecting hits, including Fieger and Perez with multi-hit performances. ASU was led by center fielder Tyler Zupcic with a 2-for-4 night, while teammates Tyler Tewell and Zack Briggs added RBI.

Game two of the series will be Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., back inside Alex Rodriguez Park.  Sophomore RHP E.J. Encinosa will take the mound for the Hurricanes against Appalachian State’s LHP Lawrence Pardo.

For ticket information for the 2011 baseball season, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit Hurricanesports.com.

For more information on the University of Miami baseball team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. To follow the UM Baseball Team via twitter, please navigate to Twitter.com/CanesBaseball. You can also access the official UMiami Baseball blog at TheUBaseball.com.

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