Bottom Of The Ninth Rally Results In 8-7 Win Over UCLA
March 23, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Miami sophomore Jim Burt drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning off UCLA reliever Billy Susdorf to score the winning run in an 8-7 victory over UCLA (13-14) in front of 3,514 fans Saturday night at Mark Light Stadium.
Trailing 7-6 going into the bottom of the ninth, lead off batter Javy Rodriguez doubled to left field. Brad Safchik then tied the score, 7-7, with a single to right center. Danny Matienzo moved Safchik over with a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. Matt Dryer then struck out for the second out of the inning. Susdorf (0-1) intentionally walked Kevin Howard and walked pinch-hitter Matt Barket to load the bases prior to Burt’s at bat.
George Huguet (3-1) earned the win for Miami pitching a hitless eighth inning for the Hurricanes (13-11). Miami out-hit UCLA in the game, 10-7.
UCLA had the opportunity to further its lead over Miami in the eighth inning, loading the bases with two outs showing, but centerfielder Richard Giannotti charged in on a shallow fly from Josh Arhart to make the final out.
UM starter Troy Roberson went 5.0 innings with six hits, seven earned runs, three walks, three strikeouts and one hit batter before Ryan Dixon entered the game. Dixon threw 2.2 scoreless innings as Miami crept back into the game. Andrew Cohn forced Arhart to fly out in the eighth.
UCLA starter Wes Whisler went 5.2 innings with eight hits, six runs (four earned), one walk, four strikeouts and one wild pitch. He was pulled after Miami put together a four-run sixth inning. Bruins reliever Mike Kunes held UM in check for 2.1 innings prior to Susdorf’s entry in the ninth.
Miami opened the scoring, 1-0, in the second inning when Dryer scored from third on a Whisler wild pitch. Dryer led off the second with a single to right center, moved to second on Howard’s sacrifice bunt and then to third on a fielding error by the shortstop of a Kevin Mannix grounder.
UCLA went ahead, 5-1, in the third as the Bruins sent eight batters to the plate and scored five runs on three hits and one error. Matt Thayer led off with a walk and moved to second on a Roberson throwing error off a failed pick off attempt. Preston Griffin was then hit by a Roberson pitch. On Ryan Rasmussen’s fielder’s choice sacrifice bunt, Thayer was forced out at third. The bases were loaded on Chris Jensen’s single to shallow center. Ben Francisco put UCLA ahead, 3-1, with a three-run triple down the right field line. Francisco then scored on Casey Janssen’s ground out to the second baseman. The final run was scored on Casey Grzecka’s solo home run to left field.
The Bruins grabbed a 7-1 lead in the fifth on Jensen’s two-run home run to right field. Jensen’s home run also scored Rasmussen, who singled.
Miami narrowed the UCLA lead, 7-2, in the fifth on Joey Hooft’s RBI double to left center that scored Burt from first. Burt led off the inning with a line drive single to left field.
The Hurricanes batted around in the order in the sixth inning and scored four runs with two outs to bring the score to 7-6 in favor of the Bruins. With two outs, Howard singled to right center. Mannix then came up with a double off the left field wall to put runners on second and third. Both scored on Burt’s two-run single to right center. Burt moved to second on a passed ball, then scored on a throwing error by the shortstop on a Hooft grounder. Hooft went to second on the play. He moved to third on passed ball by the catcher. After Giannotti drew a walk, Rodriguez followed with a RBI single to shallow center to score Hooft. Whisler was removed for reliever Kunes, who struck out Safchik.
In the game, Howard, Matienzo and Safchik each continued career-long hit streaks with 19, 18 and seven, respectively. Rodriguez and Mannix also continued hitting streaks to nine and eight games.
The first 2,500 fans that came to Mark Light Stadium Saturday night received the limited edition Jim Morris National Championship Bobblehead doll, presented by OleoMed. Hurricane quarterback Ken Dorsey and kicker Todd Sievers threw out Saturday night’s first pitch.
The Hurricanes continue their series with UCLA Sunday night at 7 p.m. The series finale between Miami and UCLA is Monday night at 7 p.m. Both games can be heard on the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com or on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM. The Sunday night game will be televised by Fox Sports Net Florida, as well as heard on Sports Radio 560 WQAM and in Spanish at WACC 830 AM Radio Paz.
Assistant Head Football Coach Art Kehoe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Sunday night. Kehoe has been an assistant coach and player for the Hurricanes ever since 1979. He was recently elevated to Assistant Head Football Coach last week.
Log on to www.hurricanesports.com for updated news on the University of Miami athletics program, tickets and apparel. For ticket information call the Hurricane ticket box office at 1-800 GO CANES.
