Miami Baseball Defeats No. 13 Long Beach State 10-6
April 20, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The Miami Hurricanes (20-18) defeated No. 13 Long Beach State (24-12), 10-6, clinching the series win over the 49ers in front of 2,116 fans Saturday night at Mark Light Stadium.
Hurricane starter Kiki Bengochea (3-5) earned the win going a pre-game determined four innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs, two walks, striking out three and a hitting one batter. Long Beach State starter Jered Weaver (5-3) scored the loss going 3 1/3 innings, giving up six hits, seven earned runs, four walks and hit batter.
The Hurricanes started quickly batting around in the order in the first inning and taking a 4-0 lead over the 49ers. Weaver loaded the bases on just eight pitches with three base hits allowed to Brad Safchik, Danny Figueroa and Javy Rodriguez. The first run came in, Safchik, on Danny Matienzo’s sacrifice fly RBI to right field. Kevin Howard drove in Figueroa with an infield single to the shortstop. After Howard stole second, Haas Pratt drew a walk to re-load the bases. Jim Burt then drew another walk to drive in the third run, Rodriguez. The last run, Howard, came in on Erick San Pedro’s ground out to first base.
Long Beach State answered in the top of the second, 4-3, scoring three runs on five hits. Paul Macaluso led off the inning with a single to left, moved to second on hit by pitch to Chris Wright and advanced to third on a single by Brad Davis. Tim Hutting followed with a two-run single to left scoring Wright and Macaluso. Jeremy Reed then singled to center field bringing Davis home.
Miami added three runs, 7-3, in the fourth highlighted by a two-run homer to left field by Rodriguez. Paco Figueroa led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Safchik. After D. Figueroa singled to right, a throwing error by the catcher allowed P. Figueroa to score from second. Rodriguez followed with the homerun chasing Long Beach State starter Weaver.
Long Beach State cut the lead, 5-3, in the fifth scoring two runs on a two-run single by Macaluso scoring Nick Covarrubias and Paul McAnulty. Covarrubias led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to second on a walk by McAnulty. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by relief pitcher T.J. Prunty.
The Hurricanes added another run, 8-5, in the sixth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Matienzo allowing P. Figueroa to score. Figueroa led off with a walk, advanced to second on Safchik’s infield single and moved to third on an errant throw by the pitcher.
Miami extended its lead, 10-5, in the eighth on Matienzo’s two-run single to right center scoring D. Figueroa and Rodriguez. D. Figueroa led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a single by Rodriguez. Rodriguez advanced to second on his twenty-third stolen base of the season.
Long Beach State cut the lead, 10-6, in the ninth on McAnulty’s RBI fielder’s choice scoring Covarrubias. However, Hurricane closer George Huguet relieved J.D. Cockroft with two outs, retiring the final batter.
Miami and Long Beach State conclude the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game can be heard over the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com or on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM.
Following Long Beach State, Miami travels to No. 12 North Carolina for a three-game series with the Tar Heels at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night. The Sunday game time has been changed to 1 p.m. from an original 2 p.m. start.
For more information on University of Miami athletics log on to its 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.
