Hurricanes Entertain Rutgers At The Light
March 9, 2001
Release (p. 1) in PDF FormatRelease (pp. 2-21) in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
University of Miami Hurricanes (16-3)
#3 Baseball America, #6 ESPN/Baseball Weekly, #7 Collegiate Baseball
vs.
Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (7-2)
#28 ESPN/Baseball Weekly, #30 Collegiate Baseball
Friday: WVUM 90.5 FM, www.hurricanesports.com
Saturday: WACC 830 AM, WVUM 90.5 FM, www.hurricanesports.com
Sunday: WVUM 90.5 FM, www.hurricanesports.com
March 9-11, 2001
Mark Light Stadium – Coral Gables, FL
MIAMI VS. RUTGERS — Miami and Rutgers have met 35 times since the 1967 season with the Hurricanes leading 30-5, including an 11-2 mark during the Jim Morris era (1994-present). Additionally, the Hurricanes have won six of the last seven games. The two Rutgers wins during the Morris era occurred in 1996 and 2000.
MIAMI VS. THE BIG EAST — The Hurricanes hold a 78-14 record against schools currently in the BIG EAST Conference, including 22-4 mark during the Jim Morris era (1994-present). Miami plays baseball as a Division I Independent, but is a BIG EAST member in all other varsity sports.
HURRICANES WIN SEVENTH STRAIGHT WITH 6-2 VICTORY OVER PITTSBURGH — Javy Rodriguez’ three-RBI triple in the seventh and a multiple-hit night by Jim Burt and Marcus Nettles was all the offense UM needed for its seventh straight victory, 6-2, in a mid-week game against Pittsburgh. Chris Sheffield through a no-hitter over the first 4.0 innings, while the bullpen finished the final five with just three hits and one earned run. The three hits tied a season-low allowed by the UM pitching staff.
HALL OF FAMER TONY OLIVA VISITS HURRICANES AT METRODOME — Hall of Famer Tony Oliva, who played for the Minnesota Twins from 1962-76, visited the Hurricanes in their dugout just prior to the game vs. Minnesota. A native Cuban, Oliva was able to meet several of the Hurricanes with Hispanic heritage: pitching coach Lazaro Collazo, Javy Rodriguez, Alex Prendes, Kiki Bengochea, George Huguet, Danny Matienzo, Vince Vazquez and Mike Rodriguez. Oliva was the only player in major league history to win batting titles in his first two full seasons (1964-65). He was one of the most graceful, natural hitters of all time, but had his career cut short by a bad knee. He was an All-Star selection from 1964-71 and was the Gold Glove award winner in 1966.
HURRICANES WIN HORMEL FOODS CLASSIC TITLE WITH SWEEP — Miami claimed the 2001 Hormel Foods Baseball Classic with a three-game sweep of San Diego State, Minnesota and Arkansas at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Javy Rodriguez was named the tournament’s MVP as well as All-Tournament shortstop, while Brian Walker (SP), Kevin Howard (3B), Kevin Mannix (OF) and Mike Rodriguez (OF) were also named All-Tournament selections.
The sweep gave Miami its second University of Minnesota tournament championship in its three all-time appearances (1986, 1990, 2001). The Hurricanes also had a three-game sweep for the title during the 1990 season at the Pillsbury Baseball Classic. The 1986 advanced to the championship game of the Wheatis Tournament of Champions, but fell to Michigan. Javy Rodriguez joins Oscar Munoz (1990) as UM’s Tournament MVP’s.
Game #3 Miami 8, Arkansas 2 — UM moved to 4-0 all-time vs. Arkansas and 158-114-1 vs. the SEC with its 8-2 win. For the third straight game UM used a solid all-around effort for the victory, including zero errors and a season-high three double plays turned. Tom Farmer (4-0) earned the win with 7.0 innings pitched with both runs coming off misplayed fly balls in right field. Mike Rodriguez went 3-4 in the game, while Mike DiRosa homered for the second time during the tournament.
Game #2 Miami 10, Minnesota 1 — UM moved to 11-3 all-time vs. Minnesota and 94-40-5 vs. the Big Ten with its 10-1 win. UM is also 20-4-1 vs. the Big Ten under Coach Morris. Brian Walker (5-0) led UM to victory with his 12th consecutive decision dating back to 2000 and allowed a team-season-best three hits in 7.0 innings pitched. Javy Rodriguez went 4-4 in the game with three RBI. Walker’s lone run came on a sacrifice fly with bases loaded and no outs.
Game #1 Miami 8, San Diego State 6 — UM won the first-ever meeting with San Diego State and moved to 4-0 all-time vs. teams currently in the Mountain West Conference with its 8-6 win. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Miami came back with three in the third to take the lead for good. Kiki Bengochea (3-0) went 7.0 innings for the win with a team-season-best eight strikeouts. Mike DiRosa and Kevin Brown each homered.
VAZQUEZ MAKES RETURN IN 14-0 SHUTOUT OF ALBANY– Redshirt sophomore Vince Vazquez made his long-awaited return to the mound against Albany pitching the seventh inning. Vazquez, a preseason All-American entering the 2000 campaign, missed all of 2000 recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. In his one inning against Albany, Vazquez retired all three batters faced, two by strikeout.
Tom Farmer pitched 5.0 innings, allowing four hits, no runs or walks with six strikeouts. In the game, Miami recorded three triples in the bottom of the seventh to set a new school-record. The previous mark was two, set by one player Manny Crespo, against Illinois on March 6, 1998. Matt Dryer, Kevin Mannix and Kevin Howard each recorded their first triples the 2001 season for the new mark.
MIAMI TAKES THREE-GAME SERIES AND SEASON SERIES WITH FIU — UM took two of three games for the series victory over FIU. Additionally, Miami won three of four games played with FIU in 2001. The most recent three-game series victory over FIU marks the Hurricanes third consecutive three-game series victory on the season. In addition, Miami has taken the series in nine of the last 10 opportunities, with the last three-game series loss at Florida State in the Super Regionals.
Miami now leads the overall series with FIU, 81-18, dating back 1973. The Miami/FIU series is the third-longest on-going rivalry on the UM schedule behind Florida (1940) and Florida State (1951). UM has won 12 of the past 16 meetings with FIU, including five of the last six. Head Coach Jim Morris is 20-8 vs. FIU since coming to UM in 1994.
Miami also defeated FIU, 2-0 and 10-2, at the Homestead Challenge. Prior to the Homestead games, FIU defeated Miami, 17-10, at Mark Light Stadium on February 21. The season series began with a 4-3 UM victory at a sold-out University Park on February 7.
Game #4 (Homestead), Miami 2, FIU 0 — Kiki Bengochea threw the first complete-game shutout in the Jim Morris era along with four hits, one walk and eight strikeouts. Javy Rodriguez led off the scoring by stealing home in the first inning, followed by Charlton Jimerson’s second home run in as many days in the eighth. Bengochea’s complete-game was just the fifth at Miami during the Morris tenure. The last player to record a complete-game was David Gil, twice during the 2000 season (Jacksonville and FAU). UM’s shutout was also the first on the season and first since defeating N.C. State, 12-0, in 2000.
Game #3 (Homestead), Miami 10, FIU 2 — Charlton Jimerson led off the game with a solo home run and UM never looked back. Ten UM batters had hits, while six had multiple hits. Along with Jimerson, Danny Matienzo and Mike Rodriguez each homered. Brian Walker went a career-high 8.0 innings pitched in the game with seven hits, two earned runs, three walks and six strikeouts. Head Coach Jim Morris won his 350th at Miami in the game.
Game #2 (Coral Gables), FIU 17, Miami 10 — The 17-10 victory over Miami marked the most runs scored and largest margin of victory in the all-time series for FIU. Six lead changes and a see-saw battle between UM No. 4 starter Chris Sheffield and FIU ace William Collazo paved the way for the highest combined score (27) between the two schools. Collazo, who entered the game with a 4-0 mark and a 0.67 ERA, left following 3.0 innings pitched and six earned runs (seven overall). FIU’s Tommy Duenas gave his team the lead for good with a three-run home run in the fourth to put FIU up 9-6. Mike Rodriguez went 4-5 with a home run, a double and three RBI. The eight relief pitchers used by UM tied the school record set twice during the Ron Fraser era.
Game #1 (Miami, 2/7), Miami 4, FIU 3 — UM moved to 14-10 against FIU in one-run games with a 4-3 win in front of a sell-out crowd at University Park. Kiki Bengochea, who pitched 5.1 innings, went five no-hit innings before a three-run homer moved FIU within one run. From that point, the bullpen took the final 3.2 innings with three hits, no walks and seven strikeouts.
MIAMI AT THE HOMESTEAD CHALLENGE — The 2001 season marked the Hurricanes fourth consecutive year participating in the Homestead Challenge. Miami has forged a 7-1 record since the 1998 season and have currently placed two players, Kevin Howard (2000) and Daryl Roque (1999), on All-Tournament teams. Most notable is that five of the top six paid attendance games, including the all-time high, are Miami games. The Miami/FIU game in 2000 drew a Homestead Challenge-best 3,861, while UM’s most recent two games with FIU drew the No. 2 (2,782) and No. 3 (2,317) attendance marks, respectively.
MIAMI SWEEPS ELON IN THREE-GAME SERIES — The three-game series victory over Elon was UM’s 19th consecutive at Mark Light Stadium, as well as the 47th of the past 48 three-game series played at home. The last three-game series lost by UM at home was FSU in 1998. Earlier this season, UM took a three-game series with FAU two games to one – with the middle game at Boca Raton.
Game #3, Miami 7, Elon 4 — Kevin Mannix and Kevin Brown each homered in the fifth, Tom Farmer and George Huguet combined to shut down Elon in a 7-4 win. Mannix broke a 4-4 tie with a solo shot to left field. Later that same inning Brown launched a two-run shot to right field. After 7.0 innings pitched by Farmer, Huguet closed the final 2.0 innings for his first save.
Game #2, Miami 10, Elon 9 (12 inn.) — Kevin Mannix had an RBI single in the 12th to score Charlton Jimerson for the extra-inning, 10-9, win. Mannix went 4-6 behind the plate, while Javy Rodriguez had a career-numbers in 5-6 with a triple, a grand slam, six RBI and two stolen bases. Danny Touchet finished off the final 2.0 innings for his first win, while Kiki Bengochea went the first 7.0 innings with two hits, one unearned run, one walk and five strikeouts.
Game #1, Miami 4, Elon 2 — UM fought off Elon with solid pitching from Brian Walker and the bullpen, plus a two-run home run from Kevin Brown. Walker went 6.1 innings with two earned runs, plus seven strikeouts. He also set a new school-record in the game with three pick-offs, surpassing J.D. Arteaga’s mark of two set vs. Jacksonville on May 10, 1997. Arteaga, coincidentally, threw out the first pitch on Friday. The bullpen held Elon scoreless the final 2.2 innings. With UM up 2-1, Brown launched his second home run of the season, a two-run shot, to left field in the sixth inning for the 4-1 advantage.
MIAMI IN EXTRA INNING HOME GAMES — With its 10-9 win over Elon in game No. 2’s 12 innings, Miami has now won two straight extra-inning home games. In their last 18 extra-inning home games, UM is 17-0-1. Miami had won 15 straight extra inning games at home, prior to the 6-6 tie to Michigan on March 19, 2000. The last home loss in extra innings was 9-8 (10 innings) vs. Stetson on March 29, 1989.
RIVALS.COM RATES TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS — Rivals.com has rated three UM players among its top 100 college prospects: #34 Kiki Bengochea, #48 Kevin Howard and #76 Brian Walker. In addition, Luke DeBold, Danny Matienzo, Marcus Nettles and Mike Rodriguez also appear on Rivals.com’s prospects list for the state of Florida.
BASEBALL AMERICA RATES TOP 100 COLLEGE PROSPECTS — Baseball America has rated three UM players among its top 100 college prospects in the next MLB draft in its latest Early Draft Preview edition: #39 Mike Rodriguez, #86 Brian Walker and #93 Marcus Nettles. In addition, Rodriguez and Nettles are listed as two of the fastest outfielders in the country.
UM EXTENDS HOME DOMINANCE OVER FLORIDA TO 12 STRAIGHT SINCE 1996 WITH THRILLING TWO-GAME SERIES — With wins in both games against Florida at Mark Light Stadium, Miami pulled off the season-sweep of the 13th-ranked Gators for the first time since winning all four games in 1991, including the 14-5 win in Gainesville on February 3.
The two wins at home also extends UM’s win streak over Florida in Coral Gables to 12 straight games since the 1996 season. The earlier win in Gainesville snapped a 10-game losing streak for UM at McKethan Stadium.
Additionally, the three-game sweep of UF marks the the eighth straight overall series won by the Hurricanes dating back to 2000. A total of 9,694 fans came for the two-game series at the Light, marking a two-game high in the series since 11,342 came in 1989.
Miami brings its all-time series total to 105-80-1 vs. Florida since the 1940 season. The UF series is the longest on-going series on the Hurricanes’ schedule. Only Miami and Florida State have met more times (214), since the 1951 season. Since the 1994 season, Head Coach Jim Morris has gone 19-14 against the Gators, including a 16-2 mark in Coral Gables. Against the Southeastern Conference while at Miami, Morris is 35-25 since 1994.
Game #2 (Coral Gables), Miami 8, Florida 7 — Mike DiRosa had sat out nearly the entire game resting a bruised shoulder suffered in the Friday win over UF, and in his lone at bat in the bottom of the ninth he came up with a walk-off single to score Charlton Jimerson for the winning margin. It was his second career walk-off hit. UM fell behind, 4-0, early, but rallied behind a Mike Rodriguez two-run home run, a Danny Matienzo home run and a Kris Clute two-RBI single. UM tied a season-best with 14 hits in the game.
Game #1 (Coral Gables), Miami 10, Florida 4 — UM received an all-around effort in the victory with 10 runs and 13 hits from its offense, no errors and 11 Gators left on base from its defense and just one earned run off a balk from the bullpen. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the second, Kris Clute hit a three-run home run deep to left field to put UM ahead for good in the bottom of the second. Clute tied his career-best in the game with four RBI.
Game #1 (Gainesville), Miami 14, Florida 5 — UM defeated Florida on the Gators’ opening day at McKethan Stadium-Perry Field on February 3 to end a string of 20 straight wins by the home team in the series. Miami last defeated UF in Gainesville, 10-2, on February 2, 1995. The nine-run margin of victory was the largest for UM in Gainesville since the 1985 season. Miami was paced in the game by a solid effort from the bullpen and timely hitting by the offense. The bullpen allowed just three hits and one run over the final 5.1 innings. The UM offense produced a season-best 14 hits and 14 runs. Six UM batters had multiple hits, including Kevin Mannix and Mike DiRosa, who each had three RBI.
HURRICANES START 2001 WITH SERIES WIN OVER FAU — Miami took its first series of the 2001 season by winning two of three games with Florida Atlantic. With the 2-1 mark against the Owls, Miami moves to 35-6 against FAU since the 1982 season, including wins in 17 of the last 19 meetings.
Game #3 (Coral Gables), Miami 4, FAU 2 — The Hurricanes never trailed, as starter Tom Farmer earned the victory. Farmer had six strikeouts, along with the save by DeBold and a solid relief effort from Alex Prendes. Kevin Howard had a two-run homer in the third to give UM the winning margin.
Game #2 (Boca Raton), FAU 11, Miami 10 — The Owls turned a 10-9 deficit in the ninth into an 11-10 victory in Boca Raton after UM closer Luke DeBold allowed three hits, one walk and two earned runs for the loss. Six lead changes occured in the contest, including a late three-run rally by the Hurricanes to tie the game 9-9 in the eighth.
Game #1 (Coral Gables), Miami 9, FAU 3 — Miami broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth with three runs to take a hold of the game. UM then put the game out of reach in the eighth with four more runs. UM had five extra base hits, led by catcher Mike DiRosa’s home run. Starter Brian Walker earned the win, along with a strong relief effort from Chris Sheffield.
MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS — Miami holds a 36-21 overall record in season opening games. The Hurricanes defeated FAU, 9-3, in the 2001 season-opener at Mark Light Stadium on February 25. The last loss in a season-opener for the Hurricanes was January 16, 1997, a 3-2 loss at Hawai’i. UM has not lost a season-opener at home since a 9-7 defeat to Florida on February 3, 1984 (14 games).
WALKER, HOWARD EARN STREET & SMITH’S PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONORS — Junior ace Brian Walker and sophomore third baseman Kevin Howard were each named to Street &Smith’s 2001 preseason All-American team.
RODRIGUEZ, HOWARD EARN BASEBALL AMERICA PRESEASON THIRD-TEAM HONORS — Junior centerfielder Mike Rodriguez and sophomore third baseman Kevin Howard were each named to the Baseball America 2001 Preseaosn Third-Team All-America list, as selected by the Major League Scouting Directors. Rodriguez was last a freshman all-american two seasons ago, while Howard was arguably the highest decorated freshman player in the nation last season. Howard was the Baseball America National Freshman of the Year as well as first-team freshman All-American.
WALKER EARN NCBWA PRESEASON THIRD-TEAM HONORS — Junior ace Brian Walker was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s Association preseason third-team. Walker led the pitching staff in 2000 with a 12-2 record at the No. 2 position in the rotation.
WALKER, HOWARD EARN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PRESEASON THIRD-TEAM HONORS — Junior ace Brian Walker and sophomore third baseman Kevin Howard were each named to Collegiate Baseball’s TPX Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American third-team. Howard was the Co-Freshman of the Year by Collegiate Baseball in 2000.
BASEBALL AMERICA RANKS MIAMI FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL — The Hurricanes were ranked fourth in Baseball America’s annual preseason top 25 poll. UM was selected behind Georgia Tech, Southern California and Louisiana State. Of Miami’s 56 regular season games, UM play 17 or 30.4% of its schedule against team’s ranked in Baseball America’s preseason top 25 poll (#7 FSU, 6, #13 Florida, 4, #15 Cal State Fullerton, 3, #23 East Carolina, 3, #24 Minnesota, 1).
BASEBALL WEEKLY/ESPN RANKS MIAMI EIGHTH IN PRESEASON POLL — The Hurricanes were ranked eighth in Baseball Weekly/ESPN annual preseason top 25 poll. UM was selected behind Georgia Tech, Louisiana State, Southern California, Florida State, Clemson, Arizona State and Nebraska. Of Miami’s 56 regular season games, UM play 12 or 21.4% of its schedule against team’s ranked in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN preseason top 25 poll (#4 FSU, 6, #12 Cal State Fullerton, 3, #14 Florida, 4).
COLLEGIATE BASEBALL RANKS MIAMI NINTH IN PRESEASON POLL — The Hurricanes were ranked ninth in the Collegiate Baseball newspaper annual preseason top 40 poll. UM was selected behind Georgia Tech, Southern California, Louisiana State, Nebraska, Clemson, Arizona State, Rice and Florida State. Of Miami’s 56 regular season games, UM play 22 or 39.3% of its schedule against team’s ranked in the Collegiate Baseball preseason top 40 poll (#8 FSU, 6, #12 Cal State Fullerton, 3, #13 Florida, 4, #30 East Carolina, 3, #31 FIU, 4, #35 Oklahoma State, 1, #39 Minnesota, 1).
STREET & SMITH’S RANK UM EIGHTH IN PRESEASON POLL– The Hurricanes were ranked eighth in Street & Smith’s annual preseason top 25 poll. UM was selected behind Georgia Tech, Southern California, South Carolina, Arizona State, Louisiana State, Rice and Clemson. Of Miami’s 56 regular season games, UM play 20 or 35.7% of its schedule against team’s ranked in the Street & Smith’s preseason top 25 poll (#11 FSU, 6, #13 Florida, 4, #14 Cal-State Fullerton, 3, #17 Rutgers, 3, #18 East Carolina, 3, #22 Minnesota, 1).
