Ninth Inning Heroics Seal 3-2 Rally Win Over No. 4 Georgia Tech
May 7, 2000
Coral Gables, FL – Centerfielder Mike Rodriguez‘ walk-off single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth scored shortstop Javy Rodriguez from third to seal the 3-2 rally win for the University of Miami (31-16-1) over No. 4 Georgia Tech (38-12) at Mark Light Stadium. The win evened up the three-game series after UM dropped the first game, 10-2, on Saturday night. The two teams will play the deciding game on Monday at 7 p.m.
Javy Rodriguez, who went 4-4 at the plate, led off the ninth inning with a single to centerfield off Tech reliever Jeff Watchko (3-1) on the mound. The next batter, left fielder Kevin Mannix, moved Javy Rodriguez over a base with an infield single to the shortstop. Catcher Greg Lovelady successfully moved both base runners over with a sacrifice bunt. After a fly out by second baseman Chad Strong, Mike Rodriguez took a 0-1 pitch to right field to score Javy Rodriguez for the winning run. Closer Tom Farmer (3-3) earned the win after going the final 1.1 innings with one hit, one walk and three stikeouts.
Miami tied the game, 2-2, with two runs in the eighth off Tech reliever Ben Sheeter. After Sheeter came in to reliev Tech starter Rhett Parrott, he gave up consecutive wild pitched that allowed pinch-hitter Marcus Nettles to score from third. Nettles led off the inning with a perfectly placed bunt between first and second. Netttles then stole second. Pinch-hitter Kevin Brown drew a walk and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Charlton Jimerson. Mike Rodriguez hit into a fielder’s choice to move Nettles to third.
The Yellow Jackets took an early lead in the second inning off a costly error by Javy Rodriguez. In the second, Georgia Tech catcher Bryan Prince led off with an infield single to Javy Rodriguez. Prince advanced to second on the play when Rodriguez’ throw to first base bounced into the Hurricane dugout. After a ground out to move Prince to third, designated hitter Derik Goffena singled to left field to score Prince unearned.
After neither team scored for five and a half innings, Georgia Tech added one more run in the eighth prior to Walker leaving the game. First baseman Tyler Parker led off the inning with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a Walker wild pitch. The next batter, right fielder Richard Stockton doubled down the right field line to score Parker.
Parrott dominated in his outing against the No. 13 Hurricanes, pitching 7.1 innings with a career-best 12 strikeouts, six hits and one walk. UM starter Brian Walker took a no-decision after going 7.0 innings with six hits, two runs, one earned, two walks, four strikeouts and one wild pitch.
Miami and Georgia Tech conclude its three-game series on Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. For ticket information call 1-800 GO CANES or 305-284-CANES in Dade County.
