Baseball Denied Series Sweep in 5-4 Loss to N.C. State
April 24, 2000
Coral Gables, FL –
April 23, 2000
Raleigh, NC – North Carolina State (25-21) came up with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to upset No. 11 Miami (28-14-1), 5-4, in the final game of a three-game series at Doak Field.
The Hurricanes had already clinched the series victory away from home on Saturday, after winning the first two games played. Miami outscored the Wolfpack 31-1 over the first two games.
In the eighth, UM closer Tom Farmer (3-4) came in for starter Kiki Bengochea and allowed the three runs on four hits and one error. The error being right fielder Manny Crespo’s errant throw on a bloop single by centerfielder Josh Schmitt that allowed Scmitt to score the eventual winning run.
Wolfpack left fielder Brian Wright led off the inning with an infield single. The next batter, first baseman Andy Baxter singled to right field. Wright took third on the play. Designated hitter Brian Prochaska then singled and was tagged out trying to take second. Wright scored on the play. Then came Schmitt’s single, which also allowed Baxter to score from third.
For the second straight day the Hurricanes made the most of their first hit as left fielder Kevin Mannix hit a two-run home run deep to centerfield in the top of the third inning off N.C. State starter Dan D’Amato, also scoring second baseman Kris Clute on the play. Clute had reached base earlier on a walk. On Saturday, shortstop Javy Rodriguez hit a solo home run to begin the UM hitting in a 19-1 win over the Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack came right back against UM with two runs on two hits in the bottom of the third. With two outs showing, Wright drew a walk. The next batter, Baxter hit a deep double to centerfield to score Wright and advance to third on the throw. Prochaska then hit a follow up double to left center to score Baxter and tie the game 2-2.
Designated hitter Lale Esquivel put the Hurricanes ahead 4-2 in the eighth with a two-run home run to right field off Wolfpack reliever Daniel Caldwell, also scoring third baseman Kevin Howard on the play. The home run was Esquivel’s team-leading 14th of the season and second in as many days. Howard had reached base earlier on a walk from N.C. State reliever Brian Prochaska and moved to second first baseman Danny Matienzo’s infield ground out.
Miami returns to action next weekend, April 28-30, against Long Beach State for a three-game series at Mark Light Stadium.
