Miami Advances To Regional Final With Win Over Florida

Miami Advances To Regional Final With Win Over Florida

May 26, 2001

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CORAL GABLES, FL – The University of Miami (46-12) defeated Florida (35-26), 6-2, in game four of the Coral Gables Regional at Mark Light Stadium. With the win, Miami advances to the championship game of the Coral Gables Regional on Sunday at 1 p.m. Florida must face Stetson on Saturday night with the winner facing UM in the final.

Miami now has won ten consecutive games dating back to May 5. The Hurricanes have won 13 straight games over Florida at Mark Light Stadium dating back to February 2, 1996.

Miami senior right-handed pitcher Tom Farmer pitched seven shutout innings allowing eight hits, while walking one and striking out five. Farmer improved his record to a team-best 13-2. Relievers Alex Prendes, Luke DeBold and George Huguet combined to complete the eight and ninth innings to preserve the win.

Sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Alex Hart (3-4) took the loss. Hart allowed two runs, one earned, on one hit. Hart recorded season-highs with six walks and six strikeouts.

Hurricane shortstop Javy Rodriguez led UM offensively going 3-4 with three RBI. He recorded his 59th, 60th, and 61st stolen bases of the season. He is one steal shy of the UM record of 62 set by Orlando Gonzalez in 1974.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring with two runs in the fifth inning. First baseman Kevin Brown and catcher Mike DiRosa each walked to lead off the inning. Following a pop out by centerfielder Charlton Jimerson, left fielder Mike Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Jay Belflower then relieved Hart for Florida. With shortstop Javy Rodriguez at the plate, UF catcher Brian Rose allowed a passed ball which advanced the base runners scoring Brown. Javy Rodriguez then drove in DiRosa with a ground out to third.

Miami added three more runs in the seventh. With one out, DiRosa walked and Jimerson singled, then stole second. Mike Rodriguez then drove in DiRosa and Jimerson with a single to right center. Mike Rodriguez stole second, then scored on a single to left center by Javy Rodriguez.

Florida scored two runs in the eighth as shortstop Kevin Estrada scored on a wild pitch and second baseman Matt Kiger scored on an RBI-single by left fielder Jason Dill.

In the top of the ninth, the Hurricanes added an insurance run on an RBI-single to left field by Javy Rodriguez scoring Jimerson.