Baseball Hosts Pittsburgh Panthers
March 7, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami baseball team (15-3), ranked as high as third nationally by Baseball America, hosts Pittsburgh (3-0) on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. The game will be broadcast over the radio on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, as well as over the Internet at hurricanesports.com.
Miami leads the all-time series with Pittsburgh 3-0, having defeated the Panthers 32 years ago during former head coach Ron Fraser’s seventh season in Coral Gables in 1969. That year, UM defeated Pittsburgh in back-to-back games, 20-0 and 8-2, March 25-26, respectively. A week later, UM would win the final meeting, 3-1, on March 30.
The Hurricanes hold a 77-14 record against schools currently in the BIG EAST Conference, including a 21-4 mark during Head Coach Jim Morris’ tenure at Miami (1994-present). UM plays baseball as a Division I Independent, but is a full-time member in the BIG EAST in all other varsity sports.
Miami is riding a six-game win streak entering the Pittsburgh game and last claimed the championship at the University of Minnesota/Hormel Foods Baseball Classic at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis this past weekend. At the Classic, Miami swept San Diego State (8-6), Minnesota (10-1) and Arkansas (8-2), while shortstop Javy Rodriguez was named Tournament MVP. Along with Javy Rodriguez, Brian Walker, Kevin Howard, Kevin Mannix and Mike Rodriguez were each named All-Tournament selections as well.
The Hurricanes No. 3 national ranking by Baseball America marks the highest ranking for UM since being ranked No. 1 in the final baseball polls in 1999 after claiming the National Championship at the College World Series in Omaha, NE.
On the mound for the Hurricanes will be junior right-hander Chris Sheffield (1-0, 6.10 ERA). Sheffield places third on the team with opponents batting .233 against him and is one of four starters in the UM pitching rotation that have yet to suffer defeat. He also has the fourth-highest strikeout total with 21 in four appearances.
Offensively, UM is led by Javy Rodriguez’ 439 batting average. He also has a team-best .500 on-base percentage, 29 hits, 20 RBI, 40 total bases and 16 stolen bases. Additionally, he places second with a .606 slugging percentage, six doubles and one triple.
Following the Pittsburgh contest, the Hurricanes will return to action this upcoming weekend in a three-game series against BIG EAST-power Rutgers, March 9-11, at Mark Light Stadium. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be broadcast on WVUM 90.5 FM, as well as over the Internet at hurricanesports.com. UM’s Spanish Broadcasting Network on WACC 830 AM Radio Paz will carry the Saturday game.
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.
