Top-Ranked Miami Slugs New York Tech 17-5
May 18, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami baseball team (42-12), ranked No. 1 by Baseball America, Baseball Weekly/ESPN and the NCBWA, used a potent offense in slugging past New York Tech (19-28-1), 17-5, in front 2,011 fans Friday night at Mark Light Stadium.
Miami totaled a season-high 17 runs and finished one-behind its season-high hits (17) with 16. The Hurricanes also belted a season-high four home runs and 10 extra bases overall. The Miami home runs came from Mike DiRosa (9), Danny Matienzo (8), Charlton Jimerson (6) and Greg Lovelady (3). The Hurricanes also had a season-best three triples. UM also stole a season-best 11 bases, led by Mike Rodriguez (3), Marcus Nettles (2), Javy Rodriguez (2) and Charlton Jimerson (2).
The UM offense was led by multiple-hit efforts from five batters with Jimerson and DiRosa each getting three hits. Five Hurricanes had multiple RBI.
Kiki Bengochea (8-4) earned the victory after going a pre-game determined 3.0 innings allowing three hits, three runs (two earned), three walks and three strikeouts. The move to pitch less innings was made to get more pitchers work before next week’s NCAA Regional. Chris Sheffield came on for Bengochea in the fourth and went 4.0 innings with five hits, two runs, four walks and four strikeouts. J.D. Cockroft, Danny Touchet and George Huguet saw action over the final 2.0 innings.
The Hurricanes started quickly scoring two runs in the first inning off New York Tech starter Brandon Kurz (4-4) with one hit, three walks and four stolen bases. Javy Rodriguez drove in the first runner, Nettles, with a bunt single toward the pitcher. The second run, Mike Rodriguez, scored from third when Matienzo hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Nettles had led off the inning with a walk and stole second. Mike Rodriguez then walked. Both runners stole second and third, respectively. Javy Rodriguez laid down a perfect bunt single in front of the catcher to score Nettles from third and moved Mike Rodriguez to third. Kevin Howard then walked to load the bases just prior to Matienzo’s at bat.
New York Tech scored a run in the top of the secon, 2-1, as Brian Goldberg lined out to left field allowing Anthony St. George to slide safely underneath the tag at home. With one out, St. George drew a walk. Mike Gaffney then hit a single to the shortstop, followed by a throwing error to put runners on second and third just prior to Goldberg’s at bat.
UM went ahead, 4-1, in the bottom of the second on Mike Rodriguez’ two-RBI triple to the gap in right center to score DiRosa and Nettles. With one out, DiRosa singled down the left field line and stole second. Nettles latered walked with two outs showing.
The Bears stayed alive in the top of the third, 4-3, scoring two runs. Steve Zydowsky led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on Bryan Goelz’ ground out. A throwing error on Bengochea allowed Zydowsky to move to third. Jelani Arnold then walked to put runners on first and third. After Ryan Nevins struck out for out No. 2, Tom Merkle hit an RBI single to right field to score Zydowsky. Bengochea then hit St. George. A Bengochea wild pitch allowed Arnold to score from third for the Bears second run of the inning.
Miami extended its lead, 7-3, in the third on DiRosa’s three-run home run deep onto the women’s soccer field on the adjacent Cobb Stadium behind the left field wall. DiRosa’s team-high ninth home run also scored Matienzo, who reached on an error, and Mannix, who drew a walk.
The Bears cut the lead, 7-4, in the fourth on Goelz’ single to center field scoring Goldberg from third. Goldberg led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a walk to Mike Rick, and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice grounder by Zydowsky.
Miami added another run, 8-4, in the fourth on Howard’s RBI groundout that scored Mike Rodriguez from third. Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk, stole second base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Javy Rodriguez.
The Hurricanes blew open the scoring in the fifth, 13-4, scoring five runs on five hits off two New York Tech pitchers. DiRosa led off the inning with a double to center field, moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored on Jimerson’s bloop single to left field. Jimerson moved to second on a balk, went to third on Nettles’ groundout to second, and scored on Mike Rodriguez’ single to right field. Mike Rodriguez then stole second base but was caught stealing at third. Javy Rodriguez then drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on Howard’s RBI double to left field. Matienzo followed with a two-run homer, his eighth of the season, to right field scoring Howard.
Mike Rodriguez’ caught stealing ended his school-record streak at 36 consecutive stolen bases. He broke the 21-year-old school record last weekend against Florida Southern when he recorded his 31st consecutive steal.
The Bears added a run in the sixth, 13-5,when Goelz knocked in Rick with a single to right field. Goelz had led off the inning with a double down the left field line.
The Hurricanes extended the lead, 17-5, in the eighth scoring four runs on four hits. Brad Safchik led off the inning with a triple to left field and scored on Clute’s RBI double to right field. Lovelady followed with a two-run homer off the scoreboard scoring Clute. Jimerson then homered deep to left field.
The two teams will continue the series on Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday’s game will also serve as Senior Night as seven members of the 2001 team will be playing in their final regular season series of their careers. The Class of 2001 features Kevin Brown (Finance), Clute (Criminology), Tom Farmer (Finance), Jimerson (Computer Science), Lovelady (Finance), Alex Prendes (Business Management) and Ethan Silverman (Sports Administration). Brown, Jimerson, Lovelady and Silverman recently received their degrees walking across the stage as part of spring commencement. Miami and New York Tech conclude the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The remaining two games will be broadcast on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, as well as on the Internet at hurricanesports.com. Additionally, both games will be on UM’s Spanish Broadcast Network on WACC 830 AM Radio Paz with Jerry del Castillo and Pepe Campos.
Left-hander Brian Walker (10-1, 3.28 ERA) will start for the Hurricanes on Saturday. The junior and former Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick is second on the team with 10 wins and also has a school-record 13 pick-offs. Walker owns the school-record for single-game pick-off (3, twice), single-season (13) and career (24). Farmer (11-2, 3.58 ERA) rounds out the starting rotation on Sunday. Farmer leads the team in wins (11) and is ranked 16th nationally in pitching victories.
After the New York Tech series, UM will return to action the following weekend as its hosts its fifth consecutive NCAA Regional and 18th overall. UM has made 30 postseason appearances overall and a NCAA-record 29th consecutive.
Call 1-800-GO-CANES for ticket information regarding the upcoming NCAA Regional. 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.
