Miami Takes a Bite Out of the Wolverines
March 17, 2000
CORAL GABLES, FL – The University of Miami baseball team (18-8), ranked 13th in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, won the first of a three-game series, 12-5, with Michigan (6-7) in front of 1,356 spectators at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus.
UM starter David Gil (4-0) was credited with the win in five innings of action. The starter faced 21 batters, threw 94 pitches, collecting 8 strikeouts while giving up just three hits and one earned run.
The Wolverines jumped ahead in the top of the second when David Parrish scored off a Bob Bobeda double to right center. UM countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning as Kevin Mannix hit his fourth homer of the year, a shot to right center. UM’s second run came off a single by Mike DiRosa as Kris Clute, who walked after being hit by a pitch, scored and Javy Rodriguz advanced to second then third on a fielding error. He then scored on the ensuing pitch as Mike Rodriguez hit a single to center.
Michigan threatened to counter in the fourth after loading the bases with one out before starter David Gil managed back-to-back strike outs. Gil struck out a swinging Jordan Cantalamessa followed by a swinging Dan Donbros with a full count. UM wasted no time at bat with a single to center by Javy Rodriguez. DiRosa bunted for a single before both runners advanced on a wild pitch by Vince Pistelli to batter Mike Rodriguez. Reliever Bobby Wood walked Mike Rodriguez. With the bases loaded, designated hitter, Kevin Howard belted a single to left field, to drive in Javy Rodriguez and DiRosa and bring the Hurricane advantage to four runs. Mike Rodriguez scored as Danny Matienzo was walked. Lale Esquivel and Mannix both struck out with the bases loaded. Clute was walked and Howard scored before reliever Wood closed the inning, striking out a looking Javy Rodriguez.
With the Hurricanes holding a 7-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth, Mike Rodriguez doubled to right field, advancing to third on a wild throw. A sacrifice fly RBI by Howard enabled Mike Rodriguez to score the Hurricanes eighth run. UM continued the scoring onslaught in the seventh when Manny Crespo hit a two RBI single to bring home Mike Rodriguez and Greg Lovelady. Esquivel and Nick Nettles closed the Hurricane scoring in the eighth with a run apiece.
The Wolverines mounted a short comeback in the top of the ninth, scoring four runs, but were unable to overcome the remaining deficit.
The Hurricanes/Wolverines series continues on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. UM’s student station WVUM 90.5 FM will broadcast the series.
