Baseball Hosts Jacksonville This Weekend
May 16, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami baseball team (25-25) opens up a three-game series with Jacksonville (25-27) this Friday at Mark Light Stadium. Miami will meet the Dolphins Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The three games with Jacksonville are the first of a six-game homestand for the Hurricanes, who end the regular season with New York Tech at Mark Light Stadium, May 24-26.
All three games can be heard over the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com or on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM.
The Hurricanes’ flagship station Sports Radio 560 WQAM will also be carrying all three games over the weekend. On Friday, May 17, the broadcast will start on WQAM at 7 p.m. then make a jump to WAXY 790 AM at 10 p.m. For Saturday, May 18, the entire game will be broadcast on WQAM. The Sunday, May 19, game will start on WQAM at 1 p.m. and make a jump to WKAT 1360 AM at 3:30 p.m.
Fox Sports Net Florida will televise the Sunday game against Jacksonville.
Miami and Jacksonville have fielded 84 games since 1958, tying for the third-oldest series on the Hurricanes 2002 schedule. Miami met 2002 opponents Jacksonville and Georgia Tech for the first time in 1958, which places behind annual opponents Florida (1940) and Florida State (1955).
Miami holds a 68-16 (.809) advantage over Jacksonville, including a 43-7 (.860) record in Coral Gables and a 25-9 (.735) mark on the road. During the Jim Morris era (1994-2001), the Hurricanes have gone 18-5 (.783) against the Dolphins overall, 9-2 (.818) at Mark Light Stadium and 9-3 (.750) at Brest Field. In the most recent span of games since 1993, Miami is 20-6 (.769) vs. JU. Prior to 1993, UM and JU last played in 1986.
Jacksonville defeated Miami, 3-2, in the Friday night series opener, but the Hurricanes rebounded to win the next two games, 13-3 and 6-2, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The loss on Friday, May 4, to the Dolphins was the final one for the Hurricanes has they won 17 straight to finish the season culminating in the 2001 National Championship.
On the mound for the Hurricanes this Friday night will be Sophomore RHP Dan Touchet (4-2, 4.78 ERA). Junior RHP Kiki Bengochea (4-6, 6.21 ERA) will pitch Saturday night. Junior RHP Troy Roberson (2-1, 5.31 ERA) will get the start on Sunday.
This weekend’s series is highlighted by “Season Ticket Holder Batting Practice Day” on Saturday, from 12-3 p.m. Also on Saturday, is “Adopt a Pet Night Part II”, where all animals have been spayed/neutered and de-wormed. Animal services will watch the pet until you are ready to leave the ballpark. For more information on adopting a pet, call the Miami Dade County Animal Services at 305-884-1101 ext. 229.
Milam’s Market will be sponsoring a “Family Day” ticket promotion for the Jacksonville series, where fans can receive a free ticket ($8 value) if they redeem their register receipt with selected Unilever Bestfoods products including Ragu Pasta Sauce, Wishbone Salad Dressing or Lipton Noodles & Sauce at the customer service desk at participating stores in Miami Beach, Aventura, Miami (Bird Road) or Coconut Grove (US #1). Tickets will be distributed while supplies last on a first come, first serve basis.
In addition, Milam’s Market will once again sponsor the “Food Fling” in-game promotion. Three (3) contestants will be randomly selected to throw a baseball through a specially designed target to win a $1,200 shopping spree.
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.
