No. 13 Hurricanes Gets Rare Tie With Michigan 6-6
March 19, 2000
CORAL GABLES, FL – The University of Miami baseball team (19-8-1), ranked 13th in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, played Michigan (6-8-1) to a 6-6, tie at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus. The tie marked the first tie in 767 games, when UM tied Florida State in 1988 and the first home tie in 799 games when Clemson and the Hurricanes played to a tie in 1987.
After a 43-minute rain delay, Michigan got on the board first as Brock Koman, who reached base when he was hit by a Kiki Bengochea pitch, scored on a single by Gino Lolloi, after advancing on a Bob Bobeda single. Michigan held the 1-0 advantage before increasing its margin when David Parrish hit his fourth homer of the season bringing home Bobeda, who had reached on a single to left field, for the Wolverines second and third runs of the game in the top of the third.
The Hurricanes came within two with a run in the bottom of the third when Manny Crespo hit his seventh double of the year, driving home Mike Rodriguez who stole second after being walked.
In the top of the fourth, the Wolverines continued to increase their advantage when Koman came up with a base hit RBI, bringing home Scott Tousa. Tousa reached base on a double down the right field line. But UM answered when Mike DiRosa hit his third of the double year and second of the day. Greg Lovelady hit a RBI single to drive in DiRosa.
Leading, 4-2 in the top of the seventh, Michigan continued to control the contest as Bobeda hit his fourth home run of the year to right field to bring the Wolverine run total to five.
UM staged a decisive comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Starter Brian Cranson was pulled with one out after walking Mike Rodriguez, Javy Rodriguez and Crespo. With the bases loaded, reliever Rich Hill came in to face Danny Matienzo. In the at-bat, Matienzo became the first freshman to hit a grand slam since 1998 when Manny Crespo accomplished the same feat vs. Notre Dame, bringing the score to a 6-5 advantage.
Miami was looking to close out the series sweep, but Michigan rallied in the top of the ninth, when Bobeda hit a home run, to bring the score to a six all tie.
The Hurricanes and Wolverines toiled for one more inning, but due to Michigan’s travel plans no inning could start after 4:45 p.m.
The Hurricanes return to action on Wednesday, March 22 at Mark Light Stadium at 7 p.m, when they take on Northwestern.
