No. 20 Hurricanes Pay Homage to Fraser in Win

February 22, 2013

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – On a special night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, the No. 20 Miami Hurricanes stayed perfect on the young season with an 6-1 win over Milwaukee.

Designated as the “Remembering Ron Fraser Game,” the night’s action was marked by ceremonious tribute to the late baseball coach nicknamed “The Wizard.” Fraser’s family helped unveil a new outfield banner portraying the legendary coach, longtime friend of Fraser and Baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda threw out the game’s first pitch, and current head coach Jim Morris paid his own special acknowledgment in the game’s first inning.

With a runner on first base and no outs, Morris called the “Grand Illusion” play for which Fraser became famous after the 1982 College World Series. Though the runner wasn’t fooled on Salas’ “overthrow” to first, the crowd of 2,980 gave a deserved round of applause for the theatrical homage.

The Hurricanes plated runs in the first and second inning, jumping out to an early lead for the second straight night. Senior Chantz Mack connected on a two-out single in the first, and freshman David Thompson drove him home with an RBI double to open the night’s scoring. The double was the fourth for Thompson in his first six collegiate games.

Miami used a solid sequence of “small ball” to up their advantage to 2-0 in the second inning. After senior Alex San Juan opened the inning with a double, junior Dale Carey advanced him with a perfect sacrifice bunt. Senior Michael Broad was then issued a four-pitch walk from Milwaukee’s Mike Schneider (0-1), and helped set up the run on an attempted steal. Though he was caught by Panthers’ catcher Mitch Ghelfi, San Juan raced home and under Ghelfi’s attempted tag for the 2-0 lead.

Junior righthander Javi Salas was solid once again, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his second victory of the season. Salas, who threw six scoreless in his season debut last Saturday, scattered four hits and allowed zero runs. He struck out three batters, pulled after his 90th pitch in the sixth inning.

Miami tacked on two runs in the fourth, as senior Michael Broad continued his hot start to the season. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native went 1-for-2 on the night, including an RBI single that plated both Brad Fieger and San Juan. Fieger, who ended the night 2-for-3, recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season in the win.

Thompson’s second RBI double of the night in the seventh inning helped seal the victory. Senior Vince Kossak and junior AJ Salcines were strong in relief, with the former going 2.1 innings and Salcines closing out the game with a flawless ninth.

The Hurricanes finish their series with Milwaukee Sunday. First pitch for the finale is set for 1 p.m.