Hurricanes And Tigers Ready To Battle For Spot In Omaha
May 30, 2001
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MIAMI WINS EIGHTH STRAIGHT REGIONAL, AT HOME AND OVERALL — The Hurricanes advanced to the Super Regional round after sweeping through the field at the Coral Gables Regional last weekend. Miami opened the 2001 Coral Gables Regional with a 14-6 win over Patriot League champion Bucknell, followed by a 6-2 victory over Southeastern Conference at-large Florida. UM claimed the championship on Sunday with a 16-8 win over Trans America Athletic Conference at-large Stetson.
The 2001 Coral Gables Regional marked the third consecutive season, in the three years of the new NCAA format, that the Hurricanes have swept through competition to advance to the Super Regionals.
The regional championship also marks UM’s eighth consecutive since 1994, as well as eighth consecutive won at Mark Light Stadium since 1992. Miami has won its regional tournament in each of the eight seasons under Jim Morris.
KEVIN BROWN NAMED REGIONAL MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER, SIX HURRICANES NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM — Senior first baseman Kevin Brown was a unanimous selection for the Coral Gables Regional Most Outstanding Player after slugging three home runs, including a grand slam, and an NCAA regional record 10 RBI in the championship game vs. Stetson. Additionally, Brown had 12 total bases in the game. Along with Brown (1B), Javy Rodriguez (SS), Greg Lovelady (C), Charlton Jimerson (OF), Danny Matienzo (DH) and Tom Farmer (P).
The All-Tournament selections for Brown and Matienzo were there second. Both were on the team following the 2000 Coral Gables Regional, including the MVP to Matienzo.
MIAMI VS. CLEMSON — The Hurricanes hold a 19-13-1 record all-time vs. Clemson, including a 7-5 mark under Jim Morris. The Tigers won the last meeting with Miami, 4-0, during 2000 at the ACC/Disney Baseball Blast in Orlando. Prior to the 2000 meeting, both teams met for a three-game series in 1999 at Knight’s Castle in Charlotte, NC, with Miami taking two of three games.
Clemson’s last visit to Mark Light Stadium was during the 1995 season, with UM taking two of three games with Tigers.
In the postseason, UM and Clemson have met 10 times with the Hurricanes holding a 7-3 advantage. Additionally, UM has won the last six meetings with Clemson in the postseason. The last three meetings with the Tigers in the postseason took place at the College World Series in Omaha, NE. In postseason games at Mark Light Stadium, UM holds a 4-3 edge.
JIM MORRIS’ HURRICANES AGAINST THE ACC — Since Jim Morris’ first season with the Hurricanes in 1994, Miami has forged a 64-33 record against Atlantic Coast Conference schools. Subtract the annual six-game series with the Seminoles and UM is 32-12.
MIAMI AGAINST THE CURRENT SUPER REGIONAL TEAMS — Miami has forged a 10-6 mark against teams competing in this weekend’s Super Regionals (Cal State Fullerton, 0-3, East Carolina, 2-1, Florida State, 5-1, FIU, 3-1).
JAVY RODRIGUEZ NAMED TO LOUISVILLE SLUGGER ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM — Javy Rodriguez was selected to the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-America Second Team as picked by the staff of Collegiate Baseball newspaper. The All-America honor is the first for Rodriguez. Earlier this season, he was chosen the Tournament MVP at the 2001 Hormel Foods Baseball Classic at the Hubert H. Humphrey MetroDome.
KEVIN BROWN NAMED TO BASEBALL AMERICA ALL-REGIONAL TEAM — For his record-breaking feat vs. Stetson in the Regional title game, Kevin Brown was named as the first baseman on the 2001 Baseball America All-Regional Team.
KEVIN BROWN SLUGS HIS WAY INTO HISTORY VS. STETSON — In the regional championship game vs. Stetson, Kevin Brown went 3-for-5 at the plate. All three hits were home runs. In total, Brown hit two three-run shots and one grand slam to equal 10 RBI and 12 total bases in the game.
The three home runs ties the UM overall and postseason record, as well as being the fifth three-home run game by a UM player and second during the postseason.
The 10 RBI set a new postseason record at Miami, as well as a new NCAA Regional record. Additionally, the feat tied the school-record. The old postseason record at UM was seven by Lale Esquivel vs. Bethune-Cookman in 1999. The previous NCAA Regional mark was nine by Cal State Fullerton’s Mark Kotsay vs. Delaware in 1996.
The 12 total bases tied the UM postseason record, while coming one shy of the school record.
JAVY RODRIGUEZ JOINS ELITE UM CLUB — Entering the 2001 Super Regional, junior shortstop Javy Rodriguez has compiled 61 stolen bases and 57 RBI. He is just the second player at Miami to surpass the 50-50 plateau. Calvin James recorded 53 steals and 56 RBI during the 1985 season. Additionally, Rodriguez is seventh UM player to join the 40-40 club.
MIKE RODRIGUEZ IS THE MOST ACCURATE BASE STEALER IN THE NATION — Among the top 20 division I players listed in the NCAA stolen base leaders category, junior outfielder Mike Rodriguez leads the group with his .958 steals percentage (46-of-48).
Additionally, UM has the highest amount of steals this season, 61, by Javy Rodriguez as well as steals per game, 1.07, also by Javy Rodriguez.
STATE OF FLORIDA DOMINATES NCAA BRACKET — The last two weekends the state of Florida has been well represented in the NCAA brackets. The first weekend the state of Florida placed a tournament-high nine teams in the postseason, led by Miami (at-large), Florida State (ACC at-large), Central Florida (TAAC champion), Florida (SEC at-large), Florida International (Sun Belt at-large), Stetson (TAAC at-large), Jacksonville (TAAC at-large), South Florida (Conference USA at-large) and Bethune-Cookman (MEAC champion).
In the Super Regionals, which consist of 16 teams, the state of Florida is tied with California with three teams (Miami, Florida State and FIU).
BROWN’S BIG BAT BEATS STETSON FOR REGIONAL TITLE — Miami won the Coral Gables Regional with a 16-8 win over Stetson on Sunday. Kevin Brown accounted for 10 of the UM runs with his three home run performance. His home runs were a grand slam and two three-run shots. After Brian Walker was replaced for the start of the fifth inning, Dan Smith earned the win in relief with 3.0 innings, one hit and one strikeout. Kevin Howard, Danny Matienzo, Kevin Mannix and Greg Lovelady also had multiple-hit efforts. With the game tied 4-4 going into the bottom of three, Brown hit a grand slam to put UM up for good. Each time Stetson would get closer, 9-7 going into the bottom of six, Brown would assist UM to a larger lead.
The win over the Hatters moved UM’s record to a perfect 5-0 in the postseason and 107-43 all-time since 1947.
UM had also defeated Stetson, 10-9, during the regular season on April 30 at Mark Light Stadium. After the Hatters tied the game, 9-9, off Frank Corr’s two-out three-run home run in the top of the ninth, Javy Rodriguez hit a walk-off single with bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth for the victory.
MIAMI MAKES IT 13 STRAIGHT OVER GATORS AT HOME — One of the more impressive streaks in UM history is its current 13-game win streak over Florida at Mark Light Stadium since 1996. UM moved into the regional championship game with a 6-2 win over UF on Saturday. Scoreless going into the fifth, UM scored two runs off no hits. The lead was extended to five in the seventh inning.
Charlton Jimerson (2), Mike Rodriguez (1) and Javy Rodriguez (3) tallied the six UM hits in the game. Javy Rodriguez stole three bases to move one shy of the school record. Tom Farmer pitched 7.0 scoreless innings for the win.
The Hurricanes have now faced Florida eight times during the postseason and hold a 7-1 record over the Gators.
The Hurricanes now lead the all-time series with Florida, 107-80-1, 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 since the 1951 season. Since the 1994 season, Jim Morris has gone 20-14 against the Gators, including a 17-2 mark in Coral Gables.
UM OPENS REGIONAL WITH BIG WIN OVER BUCKNELL — In the first-ever meeting with Bucknell, Miami claimed a 14-6 victory. UM scored nine runs over the first three innings and added five more in the eighth to end all rally effort from the Bison. UM pounded out 13 hits and 13 RBI in the game. Danny Matienzo and Charlton Jimerson each totaled five RBI in the game.
UM now stands at 152-34 against collegiate teams in first-time meetings (no service or international teams included).
NO. 1 MIAMI HOSTS THE CORAL GABLES REGIONAL — The top-ranked Hurricanes, seeded No. 2 nationally by the NCAA, hosted their 5th consecutive NCAA Regional last weekend and 18th overall. UM has advanced past its Regional in 16 of 18 previous seasons and made it to the College World Series 14 times after hosting. UM’s No. 1 seed marked the 12th time they are the top-seed at its own Regional. Miami has been a No. 1 seed in 1988, 90-91-92-94-95-96-97-98-99-00-01.
HURRICANES GARNER NATIONAL NO. 2 SEED — Miami was selected as the National No. 2 seed, behind Cal State Fullerton for the 2001 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. In the three seasons of the current NCAA format, the Hurricanes have been nationally-seeded twice (1999 #1).
HURRICANES HOST FIFTH CONSECUTIVE REGIONAL– Miami hosted its fifth consecutive NCAA Regional at Mark Light Stadium last weekend. UM is just one of four teams to have hosted the last five seasons.
MIAMI AGAINST THE 2001 NCAA TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS — Miami has played 30 games during the regular season against teams qualifying for the 2001 Division I Baseball Championships. Of those 30 games, UM forged a 20-10 record. Against the Coral Gables Regional Bracket, UM went 4-0 during the regular season with wins over Florida (3) and Stetson (1).
UM’S 1999 CWS TITLE PUTS HURRICANES IN SELECT COMPANY — With their 1999 College World Series championship, the Hurricanes became the eighth program all-time to win at least three National Championships (1982, ’85 and ’99). Only two independents have ever won the College World Series, Holy Cross (1952) and Miami (1999, `85, `82).
HURRICANES GET RECORD RELIEF IN 2001 — The Hurricanes had 197 relief appearances in 2001 to set a new school and NCAA record. The previous mark was 185 set in 1998. The NCAA record is 194 by San Diego State in 1982.
2001 HURRICANE TEAM AWARDS — The following players were voted as team award winners:
Bob Werner Memorial Award (the player who most exemplified the qualities of a winner as selected by his teammates): Charlton Jimerson.
Power Bar Home Run Trophy (given to UM’s home run champion by Power Bar): Kevin Brown and Mike DiRosa (9).
Rookie of the Year (UM’s top rookie either freshman or JUCO transfer as voted on by the coaches): George Huguet.
MVP Trophy (UM’s Most Valuable Player as voted on by the coaches): Javy Rodriguez.
Arnold Novins Memorial Award (UM’s most popular player as voted by the Miami fans): Greg Lovelady.
Ron Fraser Pitcher of the Year Award (awarded to the top hurler on the staff as determined by the coaches): Tom Farmer.
2001 HURRICANES CLAIM “STATE CHAMPIONSHIP” — Miami has compiled a 23-4 (.852) record vs. opponents from the state of Florida. The 85-percent success rate stands above the 10 other Division-I schools in the Sunshine State. The Hurricanes played six Division-I schools and one Division II school. Against the D-I, UM compiled a 21-4 record, while sweeping D-II Florida Southern in three games last weekend. UM holds a winning record vs. all seven state schools faced this season.
SENIORS IN THEIR LAST POSTSEASON — The 2001 postseason marks the last for seven members of the baseball team: Kevin Brown, Kris Clute, Tom Farmer, Charlton Jimerson, Greg Lovelady, Alex Prendes and Ethan Silverman.
HURRICANES GRADUATE — On Friday, May 11, the 2001 Hurricanes had four of their own walk across the graduation stage: Kevin Brown (Finance), Charlton Jimerson (Computer Science), Greg Lovelady (Finance) and Ethan Silverman (Sports Administration).
HURRICANES HARD TO NO-HIT — Entering the Super Regional Miami has not been no-hit in 2,233 games. The last time the Hurricanes were no-hit was by Ken Huebner of Florida Southern on April 18, 1964 in Lakeland.
GEORGE HUGUET RANKS THIRD IN SAVES — With his 12 saves, freshman closer George Huguet is tied for third nationally (as of 5/20). Huguet finished three behind national leader Lee Gronkiewicz of South Carolina (16). The UM record for freshman closers is 14 by Robbie Morrison in 1996.
TOM FARMER CHECKS IN AT NO. 12 WITH HIS 12 WINS — Tom Farmer’s team-best 12 wins on the season places him 12th nationally (as of 5/20). National leader Nate Fernley of BYU is 14-2 on the season.
JAVY RODRIGUEZ LEADS NATIONALLY-RANKED UM TRIO IN STOLEN BASES — Javy Rodriguez, with 61 stolen bases and a 1.07 per game average, leads the nation. Additionally, Marcus Nettles (43 SB) places fourth nationally with a 0.87 per game average. Mike Rodriguez (46 SB) falls in at No. 7 with a 0.76 per game average.
TEAM LEADS NATION IN STOLEN BASES AS WELL — Miami improved its national-leading stolen base total to 203 during the Coral Gables Regional, going 12-of-13 in the tournament. Miami stands over 50 stolen bases ahead of No. 2 North Carolina A&T (150).
THE OTHER RODRIGUEZ, MIKE, ALSO A RECORD-BREAKING BASE THIEF– Mike Rodriguez broke a 21-year school record by recording his 31st consecutive stolen base without a caught stealing during the Florida Southern series. He recently extended the record to 36 in game No. 1 vs. New York Tech before getting his first caught stealing since the FIU game on February 7. For the year, he is 46-of-48 on stolen base attempts. The previous school record was 30 straight by Joel Green over the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
CURRENT UM BASE STEALERS AMONG PROGRAM’S ALL-TIME BEST– The Hurricanes top four base stealers in 2001, Javy Rodriguez (61), Marcus Nettles (43), Mike Rodriguez (46) and Charlton Jimerson (21), combine to become one of the most prolific groups in UM history.
The quartet of Javy Rodriguez, Nettles, Mike Rodriguez and Jimerson check in with 171 steals this season to place No. 1 all-time at Miami. The previous top quartet at UM was the 1985 group of James, Rowland, Rick Richardi (31) and Mike Fiore (28) with 151.
Javy Rodriguez, Nettles and Mike Rodriguez have a combined 150 stolen bases in 2001 to also rate as the most prolific trio in UM history ahead of Gonzalez, Crosta and Wayne Krenchicki’s (26) 134 combined stolen bases in 1974.
The tandem of Javy Rodriguez and Mike Rodriguez combined 107 steals in 2001 is one shy of the record 108 steals by Orlando Gonzalez (62) and Jim Crosta (46) in 1974.
