Salas Sharp in No. 20 Miami's First Defeat

March 1, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 20 Miami endured its first loss of the season Saturday night at McKethan Stadium, dropping game two with in-state rival Florida by a final score of 6-4.

The Gators, trailing for most of the game, struck for four runs in the bottom of the eighth off junior reliever AJ Salcines to gain their first lead of the series. With the loss, Miami ended its impressive run of 10 straight victories to open 2013, the best season-opening stretch since a 21-game winning streak in 1981.

The visitors received another strong performance from one of their starters, as Hurricanes’ junior Javi Salas went a season high-tying six innings, scattering four hits and allowing just two runs. After sophomore lefty Chris Diaz twirled a seven-inning gem Friday, Salas followed with an impressive showing of his own, needing 102 pitches to get through six efficient innings.

The Hurricanes struck first once again Saturday, as the first career RBI from freshman shortstop Brandon Lopez gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Senior Michael Broad, who reached base on an infield single earlier in the inning, stole second to set up the scoring opportunity. Lopez, who finished with a career-high three hits in Friday’s series opener, muscled an offering from Gators’ freshman Tucker Simpson into centerfield, plating Broad to open the game’s scoring.

Florida wasted little time in responding, scoring a run in the bottom of the frame to tie it up at 1-1. After Zack Powers reached on a one-out single, a failed pick-off attempt from Salas that made its way past first baseman David Thompson saw the Gators’ runner take two bases. Taylor Gushue’s sacrifice fly to center would knot the game at one.

Miami struck right back with two runs in the fifth, regaining a 3-1 advantage. After Hernandez led off the inning with a single on the first pitch he saw from Simpson, senior Chantz Mack laid down a perfect bunt to give the Hurricanes two runners on. With the basehit, Hernandez reached for the 11th consecutive game to open his career.

Thompson, who delivered the game-winning single Friday night, then dropped down for an attempted sacrifice bunt. But an errant throw from Powers sailed past first baseman Vickash Ramjit, plating Hernandez from second and advancing Mack to third. A passed ball from Gushue during an at-bat from Brad Fieger would score Mack from third, giving the Hurricanes a two-run lead.

The Gators got one back in the sixth, as a homerun from Turgeon off Salas, the junior’s first earned run allowed all season, cut the deficit to just one. The junior righthander would buckle down, however, setting down three of the next four batters to end his outing on a high note.

A decisive eighth inning saw the Gators gain their first lead of the series, when they struck for four runs off Salcines. Aided by two wild pitches from junior reliever Adam Sargent, making his first appearance of the season, Florida took a commanding 6-3 lead. Gators’ reliever Johnny Magliozzi allowed an RBI double to Thompson to cut the lead to 6-4 in the top of the ninth, but retired Brad Fieger to close out the win.

The two teams will return to McKethan Stadium at Perry Field for Sunday’s rubber match. First pitch for the game, set for broadcast on WQAM 560, is set for 1 p.m.