Kiki Bongochea Named January Academic All-Star

Jan. 1, 2001

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Sophomore Kiki Bengochea is a starting pitcher for the University of Miami baseball team and recently played all summer with the United States National Team during its two-month international tour. He was previously selected as the Publix Student Athlete of the Week after garnering a 3.642 GPA in the School of Business.

This past summer, Bengochea took part in the USWEST Red, White and Blue Summer Tour with USA Baseball. Bengochea not only made the team, which was comprised of college baseball’s top players, but was the top reliever as well. He did not allow an earned run during the entire tour, while totaling a 3-0 record.

As a true freshman in 1999, Bengochea assumed the role of the Hurricanes’ No. 3 starter. He won his first four games as a starter, but wound up with a 5-5 record and a 3.90 ERA. He pitched 90.0 innings of action in 1999, while starting 15 of 20 appearances.

Among his top regular season victories was NCAA Tournament qualifier Rutgers. His first career win as a Hurricane came against Eastern Michigan, where he went seven innings, with two hits and one earned run allowed and a career-best nine strikeouts. Bengochea also earned a victory in the NCAA Regional at Coral Gables against Wagner College, pitching eight innings with seven strikeouts.