Baseball Takes on FIU Tonight at 7 p.m.

Feb. 29, 2000

Coral Gables, FL – The University of Miami baseball team (11-5), ranked No. 9 in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, take on cross-town rival and 23rd-ranked Florida International (14-2) on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus.

Spanish radio WACC 830 AM and student radio WVUM 90.5 FM will broadcast the game live. For ticket information, please call the UM Ticket Box Office at 1-800 GO CANES or 305-284-CANES in Dade County. Tickets can also be purchased prior to the game at the Hecht Athletic Center at 5821 San Amaro Drive on the UM campus or before the game at Mark Light Stadium.

The Hurricanes are riding a seven-game win streak and are led by freshman shortstop Kevin Howard. Howard, out of Thousand Oaks, CA, leads the team with a .395 batting average and is on a nine-game hitting streak – 10 as a starter. Junior right-handed pitcher Tom Farmer (2-2, 2.45 ERA) will start for the Hurricanes on the mound. Most recently, Farmer earned the win against South Florida on February 20 after pitching 2.2 innings of relief. Prior to the USF game, Farmer pitched six innings for the 5-3 win against Barry, with a career-high nine strikeouts.

For Florida International, junior transfer Jerry Courtney (3-0, 1.67 ERA) will take to the mound. Courtney, who previously pitched at Florida College, earned the lone win against FAU on February 24. The Golden Panthers are on a modest-one game win streak after defeating Eastern Michigan, 6-3, on Monday. Prior to EMU, FIU lost two-of-three at Florida Atlantic.

Miami will meet FIU for the 93rd time in the all-time series dating back to the 1973 season, with the Hurricanes holding a 76-16 advantage. Additionally, UM holds a 50-9 mark against FIU at Mark Light Stadium. Most recently, UM defeated the Golden Panthers, 6-4, in NCAA Regional action in Coral Gables to end FIU’s 1999 season.

WHAT: #9 Miami (11-5) vs. #23 Florida International (14-2)
WHERE: Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS: Call 1-800 GO CANES or 305-284-CANES in Dade County
RADIO: Spanish – WACC 830 AM, Student – WVUM 90.5 FM
PROBABLE PITCHERS:
UM – Tom Farmer/JR/RHP/2-2/2.45 ERA/6-2/195/Crestwood, IL
FIU – Jerry Courtney/JR/RHP/3-0/1.67 ERA/6-1/165/Humble, TX

HURRICANES SQUARE OFF AGAINST CROSS-TOWN FIU: Wednesday’s game marks the 93rd all-time meeting between Miami and FIU, with the Hurricanes leading the Golden Panthers 76-16 since the 1973 season. Miami won the last meeting, 6-4, in NCAA Regional play at Mark Light Stadium on May, 29, 1999. Additionally, UM holds a 50-9 mark against FIU at Mark Light and a 27-7 record on the FIU’s home field.

Head Coach Jim Morris is 15-6 against FIU since his first season with the Hurricanes in 1994. Under Morris, UM is 10-3 against FIU at home and 5-3 on the road.

Series Notes:

• Tonight is meeting No. 93 in the all-time series since 1973.
• Miami leads 76-16 in the series.
• Miami has won 11 of its last 15 games against FIU.
• Miami holds a 50-9 advantage all-time in Coral Gables.
• Miami holds a 27-7 advantage all-time in Miami.
• Under Coach Jim Morris, Miami is 15-6 vs. FIU.
• Under Morris, Miami is 5-3 vs. FIU at University Park.
• In the 1990’s, Miami is 26-7 vs. FIU.
• Miami holds a 4-1 advantage in extra-inning games and
• Miami has never been shutout by FIU.

Series Records:Consecutive Wins: 11 (UM, 4/4/73-4/14/76, UM, 4/27/91-3/3/94)
Runs (Single Team): 22 (UM, 2/14/92)
Runs (Both Teams): 25 (4/4/82, UM 13, FIU 12)

Pitching Rotation

NOTE: Earned wins in his last two decisions against South Florida and Barry…has earned decisions in each of his four appearances this season…against USF in the Sunday game, pitched 2.2 innings of relief to pick up the win with one hit, one unearned run, zero walks and one strikeout…earned his first win of the season as a starter against Barry by pitching six innings with five hits, two earned runs, one walk and career-high nine strikeouts…took the loss against Florida Atlantic with four innings pitched and allowing six hits, three earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts…made is first start against North Carolina at the ACC/Disney Baseball Blast in Lake Buena Vista, FL on January 30…pitched 5.2 innings against the Tar Heels, allowing six hits, four unearned runs, with no walks and one strikeout for the loss…prior to the UNC game, Farmer’s last start was against Bethune-Cookman in the 1999 NCAA Regionals at Coral Gables on May 28…made a total of three appearances during the 1999 season…recorded wins in his final two `99 appearances against Winthrop and B-CC.

HURRICANES SWEEP TWO-GAME SERIES WITH EASTERN MICHIGAN: Miami swept its two meetings with Eastern Michigan (10-1, 9-1) to move to 2-0 all-time against the Eagles. Head Coach Jim Morris moves to 3-0 against EMU, having also played and defeated the Eagles, 9-7, in Atlanta during the 1985 season while at Georgia Tech.

Game #2 (W, 9-1) — Starter Kiki Bengochea earned his first career win as a Hurricane as he pitched a career-high seven innings, holding EMU to just two hits, zero walks and career-best nine strikeouts. With just two extra-base hits all game, the Hurricanes manufactured one-run innings in 4-of-6 innings they scored in. Freshman Kevin Howard led the offense with a 2-3 appearance at the plate, with a double, three walks, two stolen bases, one RBI and three runs scored.

Game #1 (W, 10-1) — Starter Brian Walker pitched a career-high seven innings in holding EMU scoreless along with five strikeouts. Manny Crespo led the Hurricane offense with a three-run home run in the first inning. Eight UM batters recorded hits, while 12 reached base safely. Position player Javy Rodriguez made his first appearance as a pitcher, retiring both batters faced in the eighth inning.

KEVIN HOWARD ADDS CONSISTENCY TO THE UM OFFENSE: True freshman Kevin Howard, out of Thousand Oaks, CA, enters tonight’s game on a team-best nine-game hitting streak. Additionally, He has hit safely in each of the 10 games he has started.

Additionally, four other UM batters are on multiple-game hitting streaks: Mike Rodriguez (6), Kris Clute (3), Manny Crespo (3) and Javy Rodriguez (2).

JAVY RODRIGUEZ TAKES TO THE MOUND AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN: Sophomore infielder Javy Rodriguez made a relief appearance on the mound for the Hurricanes against Eastern Michigan on February 26, retiring both batters faced in 0.2 innings of work. The appearance was the first in Rodriguez’ two seasons at UM. He was an effective high school pitcher at Gulliver Prep, who amassed a career 25-4 record and a 1.93 ERA.

MIAMI OFFENSE PACES ITSELF IN WIN OVER VILLANOVA (W, 13-8): UM remains perfect against Villanova, 4-0, in the all-time series that began at the 1989 NCAA Regional in Gainesville. The offense ignited itself at the start of the second inning and scored 12 runs by the end of the sixth. Seven UM batters got hits, but the VU pitching staff gave up 13 walks – three of which brought in runs. With a 12-3 lead in the eighth, UM allowed five VU runs to score before closer Luke DeBold retired all five batters faced – four by strikeout – to finish the game.

DAVID GIL EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO 16 AGAINST VILLANOVA: Senior David Gil extended his win streak to 16 games dating back to the 1998 season with his win over Villanova. Gil struck out 10 over five innings, while giving up four hits, two runs – one earned and a walk. He has 22 strikeouts over his last two starts.

He started the season with his 14th win of the streak against Wake Forest. Gil earned no-decisions in his two appearances between wins – both against Florida, then defeated South Florida for No. 15. His last loss came against Texas, 8-7, on March 1, 1998. In addition, Gil has won 12 games in his last 14 starts. The no-decisions against Florida broke a string of 10 straight decisions won. The record for consecutive wins is 18 by Jerry Brust (1974-75).

RYAN CHANNELL MAKES RETURN: Senior lefty Ryan Channell made his return to the mound against Villanova, pitching 2.0 innings with three hits, one earned run along with a walk and a strikeout. He sat out the majority of 1999 rehabilitating from Tommy John elbow surgery. His last appearance was N.C. State on April 10, 1999.

MIAMI COMPLETES SWEEP OVER SOUTH FLORIDA: The Hurricanes swept South Florida in a three-game series at Mark Light Stadium to push their overall record against the Bulls to 71-27 since the 1974 season. The three-game sweep gave UM its 14th consecutive three-game series won since 1998 and 31 of its last 32. At Mark Light, Miami has now won 37 of its last 38 three-game series.

Game #3 (W, 3-2) — UM put together three runs in the bottom of the first, and made that lead stick as USF could only muster just two runs over the fifth and sixth innings to fall short. Kevin Brown’s two-run home run in the first provided the difference.

Game #2 (W, 6-0) — Timely offense led to seven extra-base hits (five doubles, one triple and a home run) and 13 total hits in the win. Defensively, the Hurricanes held USF base runners with just one error allowed and to leaving nine stranded. The Pitching staff did not allow a run to score for the first time this season and first since defeating Elon, 11-0, on May 1, 1999. Starter Brian Walker had a career-best outing with six innings pitched with six strikeouts. Sophomore Chad Strong made his first career start for the Hurricanes at third base. In that start, Strong had a 2-3 outing, with two RBI, one double and one run scored.

Game #1 (W, 8-3) — Senior ace David Gil extended his winning streak to 15 games. In the game, Gil struck out a team season-best 12 batters while allowing just one earned run over six innings. Junior Greg Lovelady went 3-4 from the plate with four RBI. Among his hits were a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning (his first of the season) and a bases clearing three-run double in the seventh that broke the game open.

HURRICANES KEEP PERFECT MARK AGAINST BARRY (W, 5-3): With their 5-3 win over Barry on February 15, the Hurricanes extended their all-time mark over the Buccaneers to 16-0 since the first meeting in 1984. Miami has not lost to a Division II program since February 4, 1994, a 4-2 loss to Rollins College in Jim Morris‘ first season with UM.

Junior starter Tom Farmer struck out a career-high nine batters against Barry in a personal-best 6.0 innings on February 15. Farmer had previously lasted just 5.2 innings, earlier this season against North Carolina. Junior Kevin Brown slugged his first home run of the season in the second inning against Barry on February 15. Brown led the team with 22 home runs in 1999. His last home run came in the second inning of the College World Series title game againt Florida State on June 19, 1999.

MIAMI/FLORIDA SPLIT SEASON SERIES – AGAIN!: The Hurricanes and Gators might have one of the greatest rivalries in all of college baseball. Over the last five seasons, each team has won both of its home meetings against the opponent. Each team will bring a 10-game win streak, dating back to the 1996 season, against the other when UM and UF meet again in 2001. The Hurricanes easily took the first two games at Coral Gables, 16-8 and 17-1, this season, while UF rebounded to steal a 4-3 win followed by 20-11 result in Gainesville to close out the season series. UM holds a 103-80-1 advantage in the all-time series dating back to the 1940 season and 16-14 in the Jim Morris era.

Game #2 – Gainesville (L, 20-11) — Sophomore No. 2 starter Troy Roberson left the game after 3.1 innings of work. He had given up five runs, four earned with two walks and four hits when his right elbow started bothering him. UM held a 7-3 lead until the Gators exploded with 13 runs over the fourth (8) and fifth (5) innings to break the game open. The 20 runs were the most scored against UM since a 22-7 loss at Georgia Tech on April 24, 1998. True freshman Kevin Mannix made his first career start at first base. In that appearance, Mannix was a team-best 2-4 from the plate with one walk, three runs scored, six RBI and on strikeout.

Game #1 – Gainesville (L, 4-3) — UM lost in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Hurricanes were unable to hold on to a 3-2 lead. UM struck first in the game with one run in the second inning and held that 1-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth. UF answered back with a triple and home run that led to a brief 2-1 Gator lead. In the seventh, Kris Clute hit his first home run of the season that also scored Marcus Nettles, giving UM a 3-2 lead until the bottom of the ninth. With one out, UF catcher Tony Soccaras tied the score, 3-3, with a home run. Later in the inning, UF loaded the bases with two outs until the next batter, Mark Kiger, singled in the game-winning run to right field.

HURRICANE OFFENSE/MANNY CRESPO HIT FULL FORCE AGAINST THE GATORS IN CORAL GABLES: For the two-game series at Mark Light, UM totaled 33 runs and 36 hits. UM batted .450 as a team with eight doubles, two triples and five home runs.

In the two games against Florida, junior Manny Crespo totaled six runs and six RBI off of four hits with three walks. His four four runs scored in game No. 1 marked a new career-best after totaling three runs on nine separate occasions. His game No. 1 hits included a fifth inning double that ignited a four-run UM outburst and two home runs during the third and seventh innings.

Game #2 – Coral Gables (W, 17-1) — The Hurricanes 17-1 victory over Florida tied for the second-ever worse loss in the history of the Florida baseball program and worse loss in 26 years. The 16-run margin tied five other games in UF history, most recently Georgia in 1955. UF’s worst loss came against Clemson (24-2) in 1974. The margin of defeat was also the most-ever by UM over UF and the two-game 33-run total most also the most by UM over UF in a two-game series. UM has won 10 straight over Florida in Coral Gables.

Game #1 – Coral Gables (W, 16-8) — Five players had multiple hits, including three by Javy Rodriguez and Manny Crespo. Among the hits were four doubles, one triple and five home runs. Crespo had a double and two home runs while drawing two walks. Lale Esquivel also had a home run and a double. Esquivel’s home run was followed by a Mike DiRosa home run (back-to-back).

In the game, UM racked up a season-best 19 hits, 16 runs and 16 RBI. The 19-hit total equalled UM’s entire hit-total from the first four games of the season. The 16 runs were five more than UM’s total from the first four games (11). The 16 RBI was seven more than the first four games (9).

UM HIT WITH BACK-T0-BACK SHUT OUTS AT ACC/DISNEY BASEBALL BLAST: For the first time since the 1975 season and just the third time ever, Miami was shut out in consecutive games. At Disney’ Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, UM went 1-2 against ACC opponents. On the first day, David Gil led UM to a 6-3 win over Wake Forest, his 14th consecutive win. The Hurricanes lost the second game against Clemson, 4-0, and North Carolina on the final day, 9-0.

JAVY RODRIGUEZ NAMED TO ACC/DISNEY BASEBALL BLAST ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Sophomore shortstop Javy Rodriguez was named to the ACC/Disney Baseball Blast All-Tournament team. Rodriguez had the initial game-winning RBI against Wake Forest in the first game, while making many stellar plays defensivley.

DAVID GIL’S PITCHING AND A FIVE-RUN EIGHTH LEAD UM OVER WAKE FOREST (W, 6-3): Senior ace David Gil extended his win streak to 14 games with a 6-3 win his 2000 season debut against Wake Forest. Gil pitched five scoreless innings, while allowing just three hits with zero walks and five strikeouts. The UM offense put together a five-run eighth inning that resulted in a 6-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The runs were important, because the Demon Deacons scored three runs off UM reliever Alex Prendes in the ninth.

DANNY MATIENZO HITS HURRICANES INITIAL HOME RUN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM AGAINST WAKE FOREST: True freshman Danny Matienzo hit a towering shot off of Wake Forest’s Scott Briggs that cleared the right field bullpen during the Hurricane’s five-run eighth inning at the ACC/Disney Baseball Blast at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The home run was UM’s first of the season and Millennium.

JAVY RODRIGUEZ ADDS THE DIFFERENCE IN SEASON-OPENIN WIN OVER LYNN (W, 5-4): Sophomore shortstop Javy Rodriguez’ RBI single in the seventh inning that scored Marcus Nettles from second was the difference as UM held on to a 5-4 victory over local school Lynn in UM’s 2000 season opener. Miami jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the sixth inning, but Lynn came back in the top of the seventh with a four-run burst off of UM reliever Chris Sheffield. Closer Luke DeBold earned the win by closing out the Knights over the final 2.1 innings.

MIAMI INJURY REPORT:

#13 Troy Roberson – Right elbow
Sore right elbow following 2/13 at Florida. Will miss his start against South Florida.

#34 Chris Sheffield – Right Shoulder
Will miss this weekend’s games. Should be back in one week.

#43 Vince Vazquez – Right Groin
Pulled right groin muscle just before season-opener. Likely to miss the remainder of February.

PROJECTED LINE-UP (2000 STATS):

By Position

Head Coach: Jim Morris (Elon `72)

Assistant Coach: Lazaro Collazo (15th Season, Miami, `88)
Assistant Coach: Gino DiMare (4th Season, Miami, `92)
Assistant Coach: Mark Kingston (1st Season, North Carolina, `92)

HURRICANES OPEN 2000 HOMESTEAD CHALLENGE: The Hurricanes opened up play in the three-month-long 2000 Homestead Challenge vs. Eastern Michigan on February 26. Festivities included Head Coach Jim Morris throwing out the first pitch, as well as a proclomation announcing that February 26 was “University of Miami Baseball Day” in the City of Homestead.

According to Homestead Challenge’s Diamond Notes, among the 10 Players To Watch in this season’s Challenge, four are from the University of Miami: David Gil, Manny Crespo, Kevin Brown and Vince Vazquez. Over 50 Division I teams will compete in this year’s challenge, along with 60 more teams from lower divisions.

MIAMI WINS 14TH CONSECUTIVE THREE GAME SERIES: By sweeping the three-game series with South Florida, the Hurricanes have earned themselves their first three-games series win of the 2000 season. Miami has now won 14 consecutive three-game series and 31 of its last 32. At Mark Light Stadium, Miami has now won 37 of its last 38 three-game series. Last season, the Hurricanes won all 11 three-game series it played, including five three-game sweeps. Since April, 1995, UM has lost a three-game series at home just once when Florida State took two of three games, May 1-3, 1998.

HURRICANES HARD TO NO-HIT: Entering the FIU game, Miami has not been -no-hit in 2,129 games. The last time the Hurricanes were no-hit was by Ken Huebner of Florida Southern on April 18, 1964 in Lakeland. UM experienced a close call last season as Notre Dame no-hit the Hurricanes through 8.2 innings in South Bend, IN on May 12, 1999. Then-freshman Mike Rodriguez hit a single to break up the no-hitter.

MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS: Miami holds a 35-21 overall record in season opening games after defeating Lynn 5-4 on January 21. The last loss in a season-opener for the Hurricanes was January 16, 1997, a 3-2 loss at Hawai’i. UM has not lost a season-opener at home since a 9-7 defeat to Florida on February 3, 1984 (12 games).

50-40-30 WIN PLATEAU: Miami has won at least 50 games during the past four seasons under Head Coach Jim Morris. UM has won at least 40 games for six straight years, 11 of the last 12 years and 25 of the last 27 years. Miami has won 30 or more games for 29 consecutive years. The last time UM failed to win 30 games was 1970 when the `Canes finished 28-15-1. Morris, as a head coach, did not drop below 42 wins during the 1990’s decade. His lowest single-season win total during the `90’s, either at Miami or Georgia Tech, was 42 wins in 1991 with the Yellow Jackets. Morris’ lowest single-season win total in his six previous seasons at UM was 48 in 1995.

FORMER HURRICANES BILLY WRONA, MIKE FIORE INDUCTED INTO THE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME: At a banquet held on February 24 at the Downtown Miami Hyatt Regency, former Hurricane standouts Billy Wrona (1981-83) and Mike Fiore (1985-88) were among six 2000 inductees into the University of Miami Athletics Hall of Fame. Wrona and Fiore join football’s Michael Irvin and Bill Hawkins and Tennis’ John Hammill and Ronni Reis-Bernstein.

DAVID GIL, KEVIN BROWN NAMED 2000 TEAM CAPTAINS: On December 6, 1999 the baseball team selected senior pitcher David Gil and junior first baseman Kevin Brown as team captains for the 2000 baseball season. Gil went 12-0 last season with a 3.19 era in leading the Hurricanes to the 1999 National Championship in Omaha, NE. Brown, who led the team with 22 home runs and 66 RBI in 1999, had the bases clearing double in the fifth inning that propelled the Hurricanes to the CWS title.

FOOTBALL PLAYER PHILLIP BUCHANON ADDED TO BASEBALL ROSTER: The UM baseball team has added freshman Phillip Buchanon to its roster for the 2000 season. Buchanon is already attending Miami on a football scholarship as a defensive back. Buchanon saw much playing time during his true freshman season with the football Hurricanes. He appeared in 10 games, recording 21 tackles on the season, including one tackle for loss, a pass break-up and a forced fumble. Buchanon joins pitcher/tight end Dan Smith as the lone football players on the Hurricanes’ 2000 roster.

MARK KINGTSTON HIRED, GINO DiMARE NAMED RECRUITING COORDINATOR: UM Athletic Director Paul Dee and head coach Jim Morris announced the hiring of former volunteer coach Gino DiMare as the Hurricanes new Recruiting Coordinator and Hitting Coach on August 16, 1999. Morris also named former Illinois State assistant coach Mark Kingston as UM’s new volunteer coach and David Diggs as Coordinator of Baseball Operations. Additionally, Strength Coach Mike Gibbons, Trainer Kevin Blaske and SID Joe Hornstein also begin their first season with the Defending National Champs.

ORANGE AND GREEN PLAY TO A 3-3 TIE ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME: The 2000 Hurricanes, wearing green, put three runs on the scoreboard in the sixth inning to forge a 3-3 tie with the orange team in the annual seven-inning preseason outing. The orange team placed seven UM alumni with current players, highlighted by Florida Marlins infielder Dave Berg (92-93). Also returning to Mark Light for the alumni game were Brian Seever (98-99), Aubrey Huff (97-98), Alex Santos (97-99), Russ Jacobson (97-99), Eddie Rivero (95-96), Darin Spassoff (96-99). Mike Tosar (88-91) served as the orange team coach.

ALWAYS A PACKED HOUSE AT MARK LIGHT STADIUM: Attendance for the 1999 baseball season placed eighth nationally among NCAA Division 1-A schools. 106,685 patrons attended UM home games during the ’99 season. The No. 8 ranking marked the 23rd straight season that UM has placed among the nation’s top 10.

ROY FIRESTONE PERFORMS AT PRESEASON “FIRST PITCH” BANQUET: Roy Firestone returned to Miami during the preseason, to serve as keynote speaker at the annual “First Pitch” Banquet at the Biscayne Bay Marriott. Firestone spoke about his memories of his days as a UM baseball broadcaster as well as provide a night full of entertainment. The event, which benefited the University of Miami Baseball Building Fund, featured Firestone performing a mixture song, stand-up and video bloopers.

ESPN’S ROY FIRESTONE FIRES UP CANES: ESPN Primetime Up Close host Roy Firestone visited the Hurricanes in their locker room following their 9-7 win at Long Beach State on May 21, 1999. Firestone, UM Class of 1975, was a former broadcaster on UM’s student radio station (WVUM) and remains close with longtime P.A. Announcer Jay Rokeach. Following his pep talk, UM Head Coach Jim Morris presented Firestone with a team jacket. Miami proceeded to finish the season on an 11-game win streak and a CWS title.

BASEBALL AMERICA RATES TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Baseball America has rated four UM players among its top 100 college prospects in the next MLB draft in its latest Early Draft Preview edition: Manny Crespo (#24), David Gil (#37), Vince Vazquez (#60) and Kevin Brown (#74). In addition, Crespo was listed along with top overall prospect Xavier Nady of California as the draft’s Best Pure Hitters. Brown was also listed among the six Best Power hitters in the draft.

BASEBALL AMERICA RATES TOP PLAYERS BY COLLEGIATE CLASS: Baseball America has rated several Hurricanes as top pro prospects within their respective classes in its preseason college baseball preview. David Gil is rated the top overall senior prospect in the nation. Right fielder Manny Crespo is rated No. 22 among college juniors. Pitcher Vince Vazquez, who is draft eligible, is rated No. 15 among sophomores. RHP Kiki Bengochea, a third-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 1999 MLB Draft, was rated the No. 9 freshman, while shortstop Kevin Howard, a 24th round San Diego Padres selection, was rated No. 11.

DAVID GIL HIGHLIGHT’S LOUISVILLE SLUGGER PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS: Senior RHP David Gil was selected to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American First Team, as chosen by the staff of Collegiate Baseball newspaper. Gil went a perfect 12-0 in 1999, highlighted with a win against Rice in UM’s first game at the 1999 College World Series. Gil, a 2000 team captain, was selected in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1999 MLB Draft, but opted to return to Miami for his senior season.

BASEBALL AMERICA NAMES MANNY CRESPO, KEVIN BROWN PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN: Right fielder Manny Crespo and first baseman Kevin Brown were each selected to Baseball America’s Preseason All-America lists, chosen by MLB scouting directors. Crespo was selected to the second team as a designated hitter. Brown was a third-team pick at first base.

NCBWA SELECTS VINCE VAZQUEZ AS A PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN: Sophomore RHP Vince Vazquez was selected to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Preseason All-American Third Team. Vazquez is one of six relief pitchers selected to the three AA lists. Vazquez, who was UM’s top middle-inning pitcher during its 9-0 march through the 1999 postseason, is expected to fill the closer’s role during the 2000 season. The NCBWA All-America lists were the first of the new millennium.

BASEBALL WEEKLY/ESPN RANKS MIAMI NO. 4 IN PRESEASON: The Hurricanes were ranked No. 4 in Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches’ annual preseason Top 25 poll. The Hurricanes received 914 points, two behind #3 Alabama and 129 behind #1 Stanford (1,043). Of Miami’s 55 regular season games, UM will play 18 or 32.7% against teams ranked in BW’s preseason Top 25 poll (#5 Florida State, 6, #8 Georgia Tech, 3, #15 Clemson, 1, #18 Florida, 4, #23 Long Beach State, 3, #24 Wake Forest, 1).

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL RANKS MIAMI NO. 5 IN PRESEASON: The Hurricanes were ranked No. 5 in Collegiate Baseball newspaper’s annual preseason Top 40 poll. The Hurricanes received 469 points, one behind #4 UCLA and 21 behind #1 Stanford (480). Of Miami’s 55 regular season games, UM will play 20 or 36.4% against teams ranked in CB’s preseason Top 40 poll (#6 Florida State, 6, #9 Georgia Tech, 3, #11 Clemson, 1, #20 North Carolina, 1, #22 Long Beach State, 3, #24 Florida, 4, #31 Wake Forest, 1, #36 FAU, 1).

BASEBALL AMERICA RANKS MIAMI NO. 5 IN PRESEASON: The Hurricanes were ranked No. 5 in Baseball America’s annual preseason Top 25 poll. Of Miami’s 55 regular season games, UM will play 15 or 27.3% against teams ranked in BA’s preseason Top 25 poll (#7 Florida State, 6, #9 Georgia Tech, 3, #18 Florida, 4, #21 Wake Forest, 1, #24 Clemson, 1).

BASEBALL AMERICA PICKS MIAMI AS TOP INDEPENDENT: Of the 11 Division 1-A Independent baseball teams across the United States, Baseball America has selected Miami as its preseason favorite. The Hurricanes received all five first place votes in the BA poll and finished ahead of No. 2 Cal-State Northridge.

BA also selected UM junior rightfielder Manny Crespo as the top prospect among the independent teams. In addition, the Hurricanes’ David Gil (#2), Vince Vazquez (#3), Kevin Brown (#4) and Mike Rodriguez (#5) rounded out BA’s top five prospects.

UM freshman pitcher Kiki Bengochea was picked as BA’s top independent team newcomer. Hurricane freshman shortstop Kevin Howard (#2) and Cal-State Northridge’s Kameron Loe rounded out the top three independent team newcomers.

BASEBALL AMERICA RECOGNIZES UM AMONG DECADE’S ELITE: Baseball America recognized the University of Miami baseball program as the No. 2 program of the 1990’s in their recent Best of the Decade edition. Of the three teams chosen, the defending national champion Hurricanes placed behind Louisiana State, which won national championships in 1991, ’93, ’96 and ’97, and ahead of Cal-State Fullerton.

Of the three head coaches chosen, 1999 ABCA and Collegiate Baseball National Coach of the Year Jim Morris was also selected as the No. 2 coach of the decade. Former UM assistant and current LSU head coach Skip Bertman was the No. 1 coach. Morris, the only head coach to take a team to the College World Series in each of his first six years at a program, placed ahead of No. 3 Gene Stephenson of Wichita State.

Former UM All-American and current Philadelphia Phillies infielder Pat Burrell was selected as the decade’s top freshman for his impact rookie season in 1996. Burrell, who led the nation with a .484 batting average as a rookie, was named the Most Outstanding Player at the CWS in `96, as well as consensus First Team All-America. Burrell placed ahead of LSU’s Todd Walker (1992) and Brett Laxton (1993) in the best freshman category.

Of the five players that were selected in the Best Player category, Burrell ranked third, behind Cal-State Fullerton’s Mark Kotsay (1994-96) and LSU’s Walker (1992-94). In addition, Morris coached the No. 4 player, Jason Varitek (1991-94) of Georgia Tech, prior to his arrival in Coral Gables. Florida State’s J.D. Drew (1995-97) ranked fifth.

Of the nine position players named to the All-Decade All-America team, three were coached by Morris (Burell at UM and Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra at Georgia Tech).

Among Baseball America’s High Schools Best of the Decade current Hurricanes Mark Walker, Manny Crespo and Brian Walker played for the No. 2 team of the 1990’s, the 1996 Westminster Christian Warriors. In addition, current UM assistant coach Gino DiMare served on the Westminster Christian coaching staff during that 1996 season when the Warriors completed a perfect 36-0 campaign.

Current Seattle Mariners All-Star Alex Rodriguez, who played for Westminster Christian and signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Miami, was named the No. 2 high school player of the decade.