March 3, 2002
Fullerton, Calif. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – The Miami Hurricanes (9-6) committed a season-high five errors in falling to Houston, 8-6, in front of 1,023 fans Sunday afternoon at the Kia Bash at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.
Along with the five errors, of Houston’s eight runs only one was earned. Miami finishes the tournament going 1-2, while Houston went 3-0 to move to 9-4 on the season.
UH starter Gene Flores (1-0) went 6.1 innings allowing 10 hits, six earned runs with a career-high nine strikeouts in 117 pitches. UM starter Kiki Bengochea (1-3) took the loss. UH closer Jesse Crain earned his second save of the season.
The Hurricanes jumped out quick on the Cougars and Flores, 4-0, scoring four runs on four hits with two outs showing. The No. 3 batter Danny Matienzo singled to left centerfield. Kevin Mannix followed by getting hit by a Flores pitch to put runners on first and second. Matt Dryer then came up with his second home run in as many days, a three-run shot deep to left field. Jim Burt singled to left field and stole second before Haas Pratt knocked him in with a single to right field.
The Cougars came back in the third, 5-4, batting around in the order and scoring five runs on Bengochea to take the lead. With one out, Sam Mitchell was hit by a Bengochea pitch to reach base. Michael Bourn and Hyung Cho then walked to load the bases. Chris Snyder followed with a grounder to Kevin Howard that was mishandled as two runs came in. After a Jesse Crain strikeout, Stuart Musslewhite put the Cougars ahead with a three-run home run to left field.
UH added a run, 6-4, in the fifth on Thanos Papvisiliou’s single to left center that scored Anthony Scalise from second. Scalise earlier reached on an error by Javy Rodriguez and took second on the errant throw to first.
Bengochea departed after 5.0 innings pitched allowing six hits, six runs (one earned), four walks, four strikeouts and one hit batter in 106 pitches.
With Dan Touchet on the mound, Houston scored two more runs to go up 8-4 in the sixth. With one out, Cho reached on an error by Howard. Snyder then came up with a single up the middle. After Crain grounded out, Musslewhite came up with a single up the middle to score Cho. A throwing error on Jim Burt allowed Snyder to score.
The Hurricanes narrowed the Houston lead, 8-6, in the seventh. With one out, Rodriguez tripled down the left field line. He scored on the next at bat when Howard hit a single to left field. Matienzo followed with a double deep to right center to score Howard. UM left the inning with runners on second and third as Dryer and Burt recorded consecutive outs.
Former Hurricanes to visit the team during the weekend were California residents Tommy Adams (1953-56), Mike Fiore (1985-88), Greg Coleman (1990-93), Chad Hoelker (1992-95) and Todd Bush (1990-91). Also visiting with the team was former Major League All-Star and current ESPN Baseball Tonight host Harold Reynolds, who earlier spoke at the Hurricanes’ annual First Pitch Banquet in late January.
The Hurricanes return to action on Wednesday, March 6 against the Major League Florida Marlins at 3:05 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. Miami will then host the University of South Florida for a three-game series beginning Friday, March 8. The Miami/USF games are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
The student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM will air the Marlins game as well as all three games against South Florida. The Sunday game against USF will also be televised by Fox Sports Net Florida.
For more information on University of Miami athletics log on to the newly designed website www.hurricanesports.com, the official site for all Hurricane news, tickets and apparel. For Hurricane ticket information call 1-800-GO CANES.