Baseball To Host Ball State

March 12, 2002

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The Miami Hurricanes (10-8), ranked as high as 19th in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches Poll, host Ball State on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. The game can be heard on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM.

Ball State, a Mid-American Conference (MAC) member, has never faced the Hurricanes on the diamond. Additionally, Miami holds a 51-6 record against MAC opponents.

Miami will start freshman RHP Vince Bongiovannie (Barrington, IL) on the mound. The 6-2, 205 freshman has had four appearances this season, plus a two-inning start against the Florida Marlins in exhibition play. He holds a 3.86 ERA in those four appearances, pitching 7.0 innings with eight hits, five runs (three earned), three walks and six strikeouts. Against the Marlins, he gave up three earned runs, but also had three strikeouts.

The Hurricanes enter the game with four batters hitting .400 or better, including Javy Rodriguez (.421), Jim Burt (.406) and Matt Dryer (.400).

The Ball State club features two highly rated pitchers in the 2002 Baseball America Draft Preview, including Luke Haggerty (2-0, 0.90 ERA) and Bryan Bullington (0-2, 1.80 ERA). Bullington played this past season with Hurricanes Kevin Howard and Kiki Bengochea on Team USA.