Baseball Wins Over Elon In The Ninth 5-4
March 31, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Javy Rodriguez hit a two-RBI single in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and one out to rally Miami (17-13) to a 5-4 victory over Elon (20-5-1) in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Stadium.
After Elon scored four runs over the seventh and eighth innings to take a 4-3 lead, the Phoenix closer Mike Fratoe (1-3) had one out recorded in the bottom of the ninth. Erick San Pedro was the first Hurricane to get on base reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop. Danny Figueroa was sent in to pinch run for San Pedro. Paco Figueroa then drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Fratoe loaded the bases when he hit Brad Safchik on a 0-2 count, opening the door for Rodriguez. Rodriguez hit a first-pitch grounder past the second baseman to score both Figueroas.
UM closer George Huguet (4-1) earned the win pitching the final 2.0 innings.
Elon starter Matt Garner pitched 8.0 innings for a no-decision with six hits, three earned runs, one walk, eight strikeouts, one wild pitch and one hit batter. UM starter Dan Touchet also earned a no-decision as he went 6.2 innings with five hits, three runs (one earned), no walks and seven strikeouts. He departed the game with UM leading 3-1 in the seventh.
Miami opened the scoring in the second inning, 1-0, as Jim Burt scored on a double steal, with Matt Barket stealing second. With one out, Burt was hit by a pitch and moved to third on Barket’s single to centerfield. The double steal was pulled off on Matt Dryer’s strike out.
The Hurricanes went ahead, 2-0, in the third as Brad Safchik scored from second on Kevin Howard’s RBI double deep to centerfield. Safchik earlier doubled down the left field line.
Miami added another run, 3-0, in the fifth when Erick San Pedro scored from third on Safchik’s sacrfice fly RBI to centerfield. San Pedro led off the inning with a single up the middle, moved to second a sacrifice bunt from Paco Figueroa and then to third on a Garner wild pitch.
Elon came back to tie the game, 3-3, in the seventh. Bryant led off with a double down the left field line. He would score on the next at bat with Jim Swensen doubled him in with a line drive to left center. After Taylor Stewart struck out, Barry Tejeda reached on a fielding error by Howard. Ross Cook was then hit by a Touchet pitch to load the bases. Ricky Callison recorded the second out with a foul out to first base. Andrew Cohn entered the game for Touchet. Jason Tuttle then tied the score with a single up the middle to score Swenson and Tejeda.
Elon captured the lead in the eighth, 4-3, on Swensen’s sacrifice fly RBI to left field scoring Ingram on the play.
The Hurricanes return to action next weekend as they travel to Tallahassee to take on annual-rival Florida State in a three-game series, beginning Friday at 7 p.m. All three games can be heard on the student of voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM, or on the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com.
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 box office at 1-800 GO CANES.
