Morris Gains Win No. 300 As Miami Defeats Lynn, 5-4

Jan. 26, 2000

Coral Gables, FL – Sophomore shortstop Javy Rodriguez broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning as he knocked in left fielder Marcus Nettles from third base with an RBI single off Lynn’s Ryan Gribbons to assist the Hurricanes to a season-opening, 5-4, win over the Knights at Mark Light Stadium.

The win also gave Head Coach Jim Morris his 300th win at the University of Miami (300-88) since becoming the head coach in 1994. His overall Division I win total moves 804-332-1.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead after six innings, Lynn jumped on UM sophomore reliever Chris Sheffield for all four runs, three earned, in the top of the seventh.

Nettles led off the seventh inning with a walk, then stole second. The very next batter, Rodriguez, singled in Nettles on a 1-1 count to right field for the eventual game-winning margin.

Sophomore closer Luke DeBold (1-0) earned the win after shutting down the Knights over the final 2.1 innings. DeBold, making his collegiate debut as a closer, struck out three batters and allowed just one hit.

Sophomore Brian Walker started game for the Hurricanes and went 5.0 innings with two strikeouts and two hits allowed for the no decision.

Offensively, Rodriguez led the Hurricanes with two hits and one RBI.