Baseball Defeats Florida 14-5 On Gators' Opening Day
Feb. 3, 2001
Gainesville, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami baseball team (3-1), ranked as high as fourth nationally by Baseball America, defeated the University of Florida (0-1), 14-5, in its season-opener at McKethan Stadium-Perry Field to end a string of 20 straight wins by the home team in the series.
The Hurricanes last defeated Florida in Gainesville, 10-2, in the second game of a two-game series on February 2, 1995, Head Coach Jim Morris‘ second season at UM. The nine run margin of victory was the largest by Miami in Gainesville since an 11-0 victory in 1985.
Miami was paced in the game by a solid effort from the bullpen and timely hitting by the offense. Following starter Brian Walker’s departure after 3.2 innings of work, the bullpen allowed just three hits and one run. The UM offense produced a combined nine runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to erase a five run UF surge in the fourth and fifth innings. Six UM batters had multiple hits, while nine total players produced the 14-8 margin in the category.
The defeat also ended a string of 10 straight opening day victories by Florida, dating back to the 1990 season. Miami moves to 104-80-1 in the all-time series with the Gators, while Morris moves to 17-14 against UF during his tenure since 1994.
The Hurricanes opened up scoring in the second inning with four runs off two hits and two errors, including a three-run home run from catcher Mike DiRosa off UF starter Joey Simon (0-1). Danny Matienzo led off the inning reaching base on a hit-by-pitch. Following a fly out from Mike Rodriguez, Kevin Mannix reached base on a fielding error from UF second baseman Aaron Davidson. Kevin Brown then hit a single to left field to load the bases. A failed pick off attempt by Simon allowed Matienzo to score from third and move the other runners over prior to DiRosa’s home run.
Miami added two more runs in the fourth for a 6-0 lead prior to the removal of Simon for reliever K.O. Wiegandt. Mike Rodriguez led off the inning with a double down the right field line and then stole third. Following a Mannix ground out, Brown knocked Mike Rodriguez in with a single to left center. Later in the inning Marcus Nettles scored Brown from third with a single to right field. Simon left the game after 3.0 innings pitched with six runs, five earned runs, one walk and one strikeout.
The Gators came back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth with two outs showing off three singles and one error. After giving up the three singles and a fielding error from third baseman Kevin Howard, UM starter Brian Walker was replaced with reliever Chris Sheffield (1-0). Sheffield struck out the final batter to preserve the 6-4 lead. Walker finished with 3.2 innings pitched, five hits, four runs, two earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts.
Miami responded with two runs in the fifth for the 8-4 lead off a two-run home run to left field from Mannix off Wiegandt that also scored Mike Rodriguez. Rodriguez had reached base with a single to right field.
Florida came back with one run in the fifth to narrow the UM lead to 8-5 off a solo home run to right field from third baseman Pat Osborn. After getting two outs in the inning, UF loaded the bases on Sheffield before a Brian Rose foul pop to Brown ended the threat.
Miami kept its scoring hot as it added five runs in the sixth inning for the 13-5 lead off three hits on UF relievers Ben Hedgecock and Robbie Wells. DiRosa led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and took third off a sacrifice bunt from Kris Clute. Nettles then singled to right field to score DiRosa and move Clute to third. UF then walked Javy Rodriguez to load the bases. Howard doubled down the right field line to score Clute and Nettles. Matienzo then singled to right field to score Javy Rodriguez and move Howard to third. Following a strike out to Mike Rodriguez, Mannix reached base on a fielder’s choice to score Howard from third for the final run of the inning.
UM scored one more in the eighth off Wells on a Charlton Jimerson infield hit that allowed Mannix to score from third. Mannix had led off the inning with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a Clute ground out.
Miami relievers J.D. Cockroft and George Huguet combined to close out the Gators in the eighth and ninth to preserve the win.
Miami and Florida will finish up its two-game series in Gainesville on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The game can be heard over the internet at www.hurricanesports.com with the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, making the call. The two teams will meet again next weekend, February 9-10, for two games at Mark Light Stadium in Coral Gables.
