Baseball Defeats Long Beach State 6-3 To OpenThree-Game Series
April 28, 2000
Coral Gables, FL – The University of Miami (29-14-1), ranked as high as No. 11 by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, defeated Long Beach State (25-18), 6-3, to open up its three-game series with the 49ers at Mark Light Stadium.
Miami scored three runs in the third and seventh innings, while holding Long Beach State scoreless over the final six innings for the win. UM starter David Gil (8-1) earned the win, his third consecutive, pitching a career-high 8.0 innings with six hits, three earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts. Closer Tom Farmer earned his first save of the season, closing out the final inning.
Long Beach State started quick putting up two runs in the first off Gil. Right fielder Chuck Lopez had the first hit off Gil, a double to right center. The next batter, left fielder Jeff Jones, reached first following a hit-by-pitch. Both base runners moved over a bag after a Gil balk. With two outs later in the inning, designated hitter Chris Wright scored both runners with a two-RBI single to centerfield.
The 49ers extended the lead to 3-0 in the third following shortstop Bobby Crosby’s solo home run to centerfield.
Miami got on the scoreboard in the third after Long Beach State starter Jeff Leuenberger brought in catcher Mike DiRosa from third after a walk to first baseman Danny Matienzo. Soon after, centerfield Mike Rodriguez tagged up from third after Leuenberger hit designated hitter Lale Esquivel on a 2-2 pitch. UM tied the game at 3-3 when shortstop Javy Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to left center to score third baseman Kevin Howard from third. In the inning, DiRosa reached base on an infield single to the shortstop and took second on a wild pitch. Mike Rodriguez moved DiRosa to third with a single to left field. Mike Rodriguez then took second on another wild pitch. Howard and Matienzo each drew consecutive walks off Leuenberger.
After two straight walks to lead off the fourth, Leuenberger was removed in favor of reliever Bob Cramer. Leuenberger went 3.2 innings with four hits, three earned runs, four walks, one strikeout, two wild pitches and one hit batter.
Miami took its first lead of the game in the seventh with three runs off of three hits on Cramer (3-4). Mike Rodriguez led off the inning with his team-high fourth triple. Howard then reached base with an infield single to the third baseman. Matienzo brought in the first run, Rodriguez, with a sacrifice line out to right field. The next batter, Esquivel, then had his team-high 15th home run on the season, a two-run shot deep to left field to raise the margin to 6-3. Cramer left after the inning, going 3.1 innings with four hits and three earned runs allowed.
Miami and Long Beach State continue its three-game series on Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. The game can be heard on WVUM 90.5 FM or log on to www.hurricanesports.com. For ticket information call 1-800 GO CANES or 305-284-CANES in Dade County.
