Bengochea Leads Baseball To 2-0 Win Over FIU
Feb. 24, 2001
Sophomore Kiki Bengochea (2-0) recorded the first complete game shutout in Head Coach Jim Morris‘ tenure at Miami, 1994-present, as he went the distance in a 2-0 victory Miami (11-3) victory over 29th-ranked Florida International (9-5) at the 2001 Homestead Challenge at the Homestead Sports Complex.
The Hurricanes victory over FIU concludes the season-series with Miami holding a 3-1 margin, including wins in the final two games of the most-recent three-game series. The fourth-ranked Hurricanes also defeated FIU, 4-3, at a sold-out University Park on February 7.
Bengochea, in his career-best 9.0 innings pitched, allowed just four hits, one walk and eight strikeouts. His FIU counterpart, Jerry Courtney (1-1) pitched 7.1 innings with five hits, two runs (one earned), two walks and four strikeouts.
Javy Rodriguez put the Hurricanes on the scoreboard in the top of the first when he stole home on Courtney for the early 1-0 lead. Following Charlton Jimerson’s ground out to start the game, Javy Rodriguez reached base with a single to right field. Mike Rodriguez then reached base on a fielding error by second baseman Gus Alfonso, allowing Javy Rodriguez to reach third. While Kevin Brown was at the plate, Javy Rodriguez stole home.
In the eighth, Jimerson led off the inning with a solo home run right field off Courtney to put UM ahead 2-0 in the game. The home run was his second in consecutive days against FIU. Mike Rodriguez then reached base with a hard grounder that bounced over Alfonso at second base. Mike Rodriguez then took third on Brown’s double down the right field line. FIU usual closer Ozzie Lugo came into the game to replace Courtney following 103 pitches and proceeded to retire the next three UM batters to end the threat.
Miami will close out the weekend with the University at Albany on Sunday, February 25 at 1 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. The Albany game can be heard over radio on UM’s flagship station Sports Radio 560 WQAM, in Spanish on WACC 830 AM Radio Paz, WVUM 90.5 FM and over the Internet at hurricanesports.com.
Call 1-800-GO-CANES for season and individual game ticket information. To join the excitement, log on to hurricanesports.com and become a member of Hurricane Watch, the on-line loyalty program that allows you to purchase tickets on-line, transfer tickets to friends via email and earn Hurricane rewards for each game you attend at the Light.
