Baseball Slugs Its Way Past South Florida 8-2
March 13, 2001
Tampa, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – Marcus Nettles’ two-out single up the middle to score Kevin Howard and Kris Clute in the sixth inning was what the No. 7 Hurricanes (18-5) needed to get past South Florida (8-11), 8-2, in the first of two games at Red McEwen Field on the USF campus.
Down, 2-1, and USF starter John Gorham (2-3) still on the mound, Nettles reached base with a bunt single towards third base and stole second. Mike Rodriguez then singled in Nettles with a bloop single to right center. He then stole second and took third on a throwing error from USF catcher Kris Courier. Mike Rodriguez then came in on Javy Rodriguez’ sacrifice fly to right field.
USF had taken an early lead on Miami, 2-1, after three innings of play. But, the Hurricanes did most of its damage on the USF bullpen, scoring seven runs over the sixth through ninth innings. UM starter Chris Sheffield (2-0) threw 101 pitches in a career-best 6.0 innings allowing six hits, two runs (both earned), two walks and five strikeouts.
Offensively, four UM batters had two hits apiece to account for the eight hits. Nettles went 2-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, one walk and two strikeouts, along with a career-best three stolen bases. Mike Rodriguez went 2-4 with three runs scored, two RBI, one walk, two stolen bases and a solo home run to open the scoring in the first inning. Danny Matienzo and Kevin Howard each had two-hit efforts, as well.
The Bulls tied the score, 1-1, when Chris Cuccia scored the run from third on Mike Barclay’s fielder’s choice grounder to second base. Cuccia reached base with a first-pitch double to right centerfield and took third on a Sheffield wild pitch.
South Florida went up, 2-1, in the third off a bases load situation and one out when Ben Drawdy scored from third on Mike Eylward’s sacrifice fly to right field. Drawdy reached base with a single to right field, then raced to third on Myron Leslie’s single to the gap in the left centerfield. Leslie took second on the play. Daniel Boyd followed by reaching base on a hit by pitch.
After Gorham was replaced in the seventh with reliever David Richtberg, the Hurricanes went ahead 5-2. With one out, Howard doubled down the right field line and took third on a passed ball from Courier pre-empting Gorham’s replacement. Jim Burt then fouled out to the first baseman for the second out. Clute followed up by drawing a full-count walk to put runners on first and third. Clute then stole second. The next batter, Nettles, brought both runs in with a two-strike line drive single up the middle. Gorham, in exactly 100 pitches, allowed five hits, four runs (three earned), two walks and three strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
Miami extended the score, 6-2, in the eighth when Howard singled in Matienzo from second with a shot to left centerfield off reliever Brendan Fuller. On the play, Charlton Jimerson was also tagged out at the plate on a relay from center to second to homeplate. Jimerson was pinch running for Mannix, who reached on a walk.
With two outs, Nettles and Mike Rodriguez each drew walks and then pulled off the double steal to runners on second and third. Javy Rodriguez then hit a grounder to the third baseman, who committed a throwing error to allow both runners to score for the 8-2 score.
Miami will conclude the two-game series at USF on Wednesday, March 14 at 5 p.m. The game can be heard over the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, as well as on the Internet at hurricanesports.com. The Hurricanes will return to action at Mark Light Stadium for a three-game series with East Carolina, March 16-18.
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.
