No. 1 Miami Completes Sweep Of New York Tech 11-1
May 20, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami baseball team (44-12), ranked No. 1 by Baseball America, Baseball Weekly/ESPN and the NCBWA, completed its sweep of New York Tech (19-30-1), 11-1, in front 1,142 fans Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Stadium.
UM ends the regular season riding a season-high eight game win streak. The win streak is the second longest to end a regular season by a UM team. The eight-game win streak ties the 1992 club’s regular season ending streak. The 1979 team holds the top record to end a regular season at 13. Both the 1992 and 1979 teams advanced through regional play to the College World Series.
Offensively, UM tallied double-digit hits for the third straight game over New York with 11 and totaled 43 for the three-game series. Kevin Mannix led the Hurricanes, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mike Rodriguez and Kevin Howard each had two-hit efforts. Howard led all players with four RBI.
Miami stole six bases in the game, three by Javy Rodriguez, two by Mike Rodriguez and one from Howard. For the three-game series UM had a total a season-best 21 steals.
UM starter Tom Farmer (12-2) threw a one-hitter over his pre-game determined 4.0 innings with one walk and three strikeouts. T.J. Prunty kept the one-hitter going threw five innings, but allowed two hits in the sixth and also had four strikeouts. Vince Vazquez and Andrew Cohn combined to keep the Bears scoreless in the seventh. Cohn allowed the shut-out to end in the eighth allowing an earned run on one hit and one error. George Huguet closed out the ninth for the Hurricanes.
NYIT starter Wayne Seder (0-2) pitched the first 3.0 innings with three hits, three runs (all earned), two walks and no strikeouts. He was relieved with Tom Park to start the fourth. Park went 3.0 innings with six hits, four runs (two earned), four walks and five strikeouts. Kyle Patten closed out the eighth for the Bears on the mound.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring, 2-0, in the first scoring two runs off three hits. Mike Rodriguez led off the inning with a single to center field, stole second,and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher. He then scored on Javy Rodriguez’ RBI single to left field. Javy Rodriguez stole second and later scored on Kevin Howard’s RBI single to right center.
UM added another run in the third, 3-0, when Howard grounded out to second base allowing Mike Rodriguez to score from third. Mike Rodriguez led off with a walk, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Miami extended its lead, 5-0, in the fifth scoring two runs off two hits. Javy Rodriguez reached first on an error by the third baseman, moved to second on a throwing error by the pitcher and stole third. He then scored on a wild pitch. After Howard struck out, Danny Matienzo drew a walk and moved all the way to third on a double to left field by Kevin Mannix. Kris Clute followed with an RBI groundout that allowed Matienzo to score.
UM widened the score, 11-0, in the seventh with six runs off five hits, two walks and an error, while batting around in the order. Marcus Nettles led off with a double to left field and moved to third on an errant throw back in. He then scored on Mannix’ single to right center. After a balk, Mannix was replaced at second with Brad Safchik. Clute followed with a walk. Kevin Brown knocked in the second run, Safchik, with a double down the left field line, also moving Clute to third. Mike DiRosa was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Charlton Jimerson then hit a sacrifice fly RBI to right field to score Clute, moving Brown to third. Jim Burt doubled down the left field line to score Brown and moved DiRosa to third. Howard singled to right center to score DiRosa and Burt.
The Bears broke the shut out in the eighth when Vince Galea reached on a fielding error by Haas Pratt, allowing Jelani Arnold to score from third. Arnold led off the inning with walk and moved all the way to third on a single to right field.
Miami handed out its 2001 team awards prior to Sunday’s game: Bob Werner Memorial Award (player who exemplifies the qualities of a winner) – Charlton Jimerson, Rookie of the Year – George Huguet, MVP Trophy – Javy Rodriguez, Arnold Novins Memorial Award (most popular as voted on by the fans) – Greg Lovelady, Ron Fraser Pitcher of the Year – Tom Farmer.
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.
