Hurricanes Walk Off in Dramatic Season Opener

February 16, 2013

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami baseball team enjoyed some Opening Day magic Saturday afternoon, as Garrett Kennedy’s walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth gave the Hurricanes a dramatic 5-4 victory.

After junior closer AJ Salcines allowed three runs in the top of the ninth to give Rutgers a 4-3 advantage, freshman Chris Barr gave Miami life with a four-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the frame. Rutgers’ closer Rob Corsi then walked Dale Carey before being pulled in favor of righthander Charlie Lasky.

Senior Alex San Juan helped set up the wild finish with a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Barr and Carey. After junior Brad Fieger was hit by a Lasky offering to load the bases, Kennedy delivered the game-winning single to left field, sending his teammates into a wild celebration at home plate. Both Barr and Carey scored on the hit, which was misplayed by Rutgers leftfielder Vinny Zarrillo.

The Hurricanes carried a 3-1 lead into the final frame, thanks in large part to the efforts of sophomore lefthander Chris Diaz. The Florida City, Fla., native went a career-high six innings in his season debut, scattering five hits while allowing only one unearned run.  After setting the Scarlet Knights down in order in the top of the sixth, Diaz’ day was done after 84 pitches.

Miami fell behind 1-0 in the fifth but responded with a three-run sixth inning, as a trio of newcomers powered the Hurricanes in the frame. Junior Alex Hernandez recorded his first career hit, a sharply-driven single to the left side of the infield, that plated senior Michael Broad for the tying run. After senior Chantz Mack struck out, freshman David Thompson delivered a single up the middle that plated Hernandez and freshman Brandon Lopez to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead.

The trio, comprising three of the four starters in the infield, finished the day with combined totals of four hits, two runs and three RBI’s. All three recorded their first career hits in the season opener.

Senior Eric Nedeljkovic followed Diaz with an equally impressive outing, tossing two scoreless innings of relief. The Folsom, Calif., native allowed only one hit and struck out two, needing 27 pitches to get through his stint.

After Rutgers plated three runs in the top of the ninth, the stage was set for the dramatic comeback. Kennedy’s single to left capped an emotional inning, as his Miami teammates sprinted to meet him on the basepath in celebration.

The Hurricanes face off against Rutgers in game two of the series at 7 p.m. on ESPN3. The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.