Miami Faces New York Tech
May 23, 2002
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University of Miami Hurricanes (27-26) vs. New York Tech Bears (27-22)
Friday: 7:00 p.m. – WACC 830 AM; WVUM 90.5 FM
Saturday: 7:00 p.m. – Fox Sports Net Florida; WQAM 560 AM, WACC 830 AM; WVUM 90.5 FM
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – WVUM 90.5 FM
Game #54-56: May 24-26, 2002; Mark Light Stadium; Coral Gables, Florida
THE MIAMI/NEW YORK TECH SERIES — The University of Miami holds a 10-0 record overNew York Tech in the all-time series that began with a doubleheader at Mark Light Stadium in 1978.Prior to those two meetings on March 15, 1978, Miami and New York Tech have played eightmore times at Mark Light over the last three seasons. The past two seasons, the two schools, bothindependents, met on the last weekend of the regular season while other Division I teams areentering conference tournaments.
Last season, Miami won the three games, 17-5, 14-7 and 11-1. In 2000, Miami picked up 6-1, 9-8 and 17-3 victories. Miami won the two 1999 meetings, 12-3 and 20-0. The 1978 double-headerresulted in 7-1 and 6-5 decisions.
MIAMI/NEW YORK TECH SERIES MATH —
Overall Series Record: Miami leads 10-0
At UM: Miami leads 10-0
Total runs scored: Miami leads 119-34
11.9 – 3.4 rpg
One run games: Miami leads 2-0
Shutout victories vs. NYT: 1
Most runs UM: 20 (20-0 win in 1999)
Margin UM: 20 (20-0 win in 1999)
Most runs NYT: 8 (9-8 loss in 2000)
Margin NYT: 1 (6-5 loss in 1978
and 9-8 loss in 2000)
Streak UM: 10 (3/15/78 – 5/20/01)
MIAMI VS. DIVISION I INDEPENDENTS — Miamiand New York Tech are among the eight schools in Divi-sionI listed as Independent (no conference affiliation).Earlier this season UM defeated Lipscomb, 10-2, also anIndependent, in a Homestead Challenge game on Feb. 24.Against the current Independent teams, UM has a 22-0record vs. New York Tech (10-0), Pace (7-0), C.W. Post(4-0) and Lipscomb (1-0).
MIAMI AND THE PSEUDO-RPI — Following games ofMay 23, Miami finds itself ranked 21st in the latest Boyd’sWorld pseudo-Ratings Power Index (pseudo RPI’s).The Hurricanes have five top-13 opponents inFlorida State (#2), Georgia Tech (#5), Houston (#7),Florida (#9) and North Carolina (#13), while 15 are ratedamong the top 65.
Miami has 2002 quality pseudo RPI victories over#2 Florida State, #5 Georgia Tech, #13 North Carolina,#24 Cal State Fullerton, #26 FIU, #29 Long Beach State(two), #38 South Florida, #40 Elon, #46 FAU, #53 Ten-nessee(two), #55 Rutgers and #65 Bethune-Cookman(two). Boyd’s World RPI (as of 5/23)
THE CLASS OF 2002 — This weekend’s series with New York Tech marksthe final regular season games at Mark Light Stadium for the 2002 season.The New York Tech series also marks the final homestand for six Hurricanes:Luke DeBold, Matt Dryer, Troy Roberson, Javy Rodriguez, Brad Safchik andVince Vazquez.Senior Notes
DeBold, Roberson, Rodriguez and Vazquez joined the program as freshmenin 1999. All four earned National Championship rings playing with the CWSwinning teams in 1999 and 2001. Rodriguez and Vazquez are currently theonly two players in the nation to have won participated and won two CollegeWorld Series titles. Both DeBold and Roberson played throughout the 1999season, but did not participate in the postseason.Dryer and Safchik each joined the team as juniors in 2000. Dryer trans-ferredfrom Indian River Community College, while Safchik played his firsttwo seasons for the University of Tampa. Dryer and Safchik each earnedNational Championship rings with last season’s squad.On May 10, DeBold (Systems Analysis), Roberson (Liberal Arts) andVazquez (Finance) each walked across the stage as part of graduation com-mencementceremonies.Rodriguez is listed throughout the career offensive record books, includinghits, stolen bases, at bats, run scored, total sacrifices and total bases.DeBold holds the school-record for consecutive appearances with a 13-game span in 2000. He is also tied for third in overall and relief appearances.Roberson is the lone player on the squad to be drafted twice, so far. He wasdrafted in 1998 by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school and again lastseason by the Texas Rangers in the 28th round. Roberson did not a throw asingle pitch in 2001.
PLAYING TOUGH ON THE ROAD — Seven of UM’s eight losses from roadgames at the Kia Baseball Bash in Fullerton, Calif., Florida State, North Caro-linaand Georgia Tech were decided over the last three innings. The lone losson the road that was dealt early was at FSU, 13-3, on 4/5.
Two of these road seven losses were last at bat ones occurring at FloridaState, 9-7, in 13 innings on 4/7 and at Georgia Tech, 7-6, in a 9-inning gameon 5/10. Three additional road defeats were in the next to last inning atGeorgia Tech, 16-8, on 5/12, at North Carolina, 5-4, on 4/26, and vs. SouthernCalifornia, 11-10, on 3/1. All three games at UNC were decided by one runeach. The Houston game saw Miami leading 4-0 then having six straighterrors lead to seven unearned Houston runs in a 8-6 for the tourney title.Miami has been tough in its 26 losses, with 18 of them by four runs orless. Eight losses have been by one run, five by two runs, three by three runsand two by four runs.
FIVE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS ON THE SCHEDULE — Miami hasfaced five regular season conference champions in FSU (ACC), Houston (C-USA),Minnesota (Big 10), USC (Pac-10) and Bethune-Cookman (MEAC).Additionally, seven 2002 opponents will be a No. 2 seed, one a No. 3 seed andthree are No. 4 seeds in their respective tournaments.
FIVE HURRICANES AMONG BASEBALL AMERICA’S FLORIDA TOP70 — Miami has five Hurricanes rated among the state of Florida’s top 70prospects, college and high school. Leading the list was Kiki Bengochea (#19)followed by Javy Rodriguez (#22), Kevin Howard (#23), T.J. Prunty (#40) andTroy Roberson (#45).
RELIEVER GOES FROM BOTTOM TO TOP IN ONE SEASON — Sopho-moreJ.D. Cockroft enters the final weekend with a team-best ERA of 1.96.Last year, he finished last among pitchers with a 43.20 ERA over five appear-ances.He is the first UM pitcher since Chris Sarmiento (1985-86) to go fromlast to first in team ERA over one season. Sarmiento finished 1985 with a7.63 ERA and responded with a team-best 1.80 in 1986.
JAVY RODRIGUEZ LISTED THROUGHOUT MIAMI CAREERRECORDS — Senior All-American Javy Rodriguez has etched his nameon numerous Miami career record lists this season, including hits, stolenbases, at bats, total sacrifices, total bases and run scored.For the past two seasons, Rodriguez, the 2001 Team MVP, has led theteam in nearly every offensive category. He is also the single-season recordholder with 66 stolen bases in 2001.Rodriguez on Career Lists
KEVIN HOWARD JUMPS TO NO. 2 IN CAREER DOUBLES,NEARS TOP MARK — Kevin Howard enters the New York Tech serieswith 63 career doubles, including a team-high 21 on the season. The figureties him for No. 2 all-time with Mike Fiore (1985-88). Howard recentlytied Fiore with his fifth inning double in game No. 1 vs. Jacksonville.Howard is two away from the school-record 65 by Jose Trujillo (1985-88).Howard has led the Hurricanes in doubles in all three of his seasons, 21in 2002, 20 in 2001 and 22 in 2000.
Additionally, Howard recently had four hits in the Jacksonville seriesto give him 245 for his career, jumping him into No. 6 all-time. He past BillWrona (1981-83) with his four-hit evening in game No. 1 vs. the Dolphins.
DANNY MATIENZO CHARGES ONTO CAREER POWER LISTS —Danny Matienzo hit one home run in the Jacksonville series to give him ateam-best 14 on the season and 36 for his career. The 36 home runs put himat No. 8 on the career list, breaking a tie with Frank Dominguez (1985-88).The 14 home runs are also a career-season-high after hitting 13 in 2001.Matienzo also had five RBI during the Jacksonville series to give him171 for his career, ranking No. 7 all-time.
LUKE DeBOLD FINISHES WITH THIRD-MOST APPEARANCES— Luke DeBold will finish his University of Miami career ranked third all-timein overall pitching appearances, as well as appearances in relief. DeBoldcurrently is tied for third with Danny Graves (1992-94) with his 99 careerappearances, all in relief. Robbie Morrison (1996-98) sits in second in bothcategories with 112 career appearances with 110 in relief.Since his return on May 2, DeBold has had six appearances, five ofwhich he held the opponent off the scoreboard. Prior to May, DeBold hadmade just three appearances. He appeared in over 40 innings in each of thepast two seasons.
GEORGE HUGUET IN FIFTH-PLACE FOR CAREER SAVES —George Huguet earned his last save vs. Jacksonville which gave him 22 forhis career, fifth all-time at Miami. Rick Raether (1984-86) holds the school-recordwith 37 career saves. Jay Tessmer (1994-95) is in fourth-place with23 saves.
Huguet also has 78 career appearances in relief, which places 9th on thecareer list behind No. 8 Jay Tessmer (85, 1994-95).
JIM MORRIS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI — In his ninth seasonas Head Coach at Miami, Jim Morris has compiled a current 420-145-1(.743) record with the Hurricanes. He has guided Miami to the CollegeWorld Series in seven of his eight previous seasons in Coral Gables, includ-ingan NCAA-record six straight trips in his first six years.
In 2001, Morris’ club went 53-12 and won its final 17 games en routeto the 2002 College World Series title. The 12-1 victory over Stanfordmarked the second National Championship in the last three seasons afterMorris’ 1999 club claimed the title with a 6-5 win over rival Florida State.Morris has been named the National Coach of the Year five times byBaseball America in 1994 and Collegiate Baseball and the American Base-ballCoaches Association in 1999 and 2001.
2002 MARKS JIM MORRIS’ 25TH SEASON AS A HEAD COACH— Head Coach Jim Morris currently has a 924-389-2 (.703) record at theDivision I level. As a head coach, Morris has compiled a 1,055-430-2(.710) record over 25 years.
Earlier this season Jim Morris notched his milestone 900th win at theDivision I level with a 10-4 victory over Minnesota on Feb. 15. Eight dayslater, Morris would earn his 400th win at the University of Miami with a11-4 victory over Kansas State on Feb. 23. Morris’ 1000th win as a headcoach, including four years at DeKalb Junior College, came last season in a5-3 win over Northeastern on March 23, 2001.Prior to his nine seasons in Coral Gables, Morris went 504-244-1 atGeorgia Tech from 1982-1993. In his first stint as a head coach, he guidedDeKalb Junior College to a 131-41 mark from 1976-79.
JIM MORRIS MAKING HISTORY —
Guided the Miami Hurricanes to College World Series National Cham-pionshipin 1999 and 2001.The only coach in NCAA history to take a school to the College WorldSeries in each of his first six years at a program. Morris has gone to Omahawith Miami in seven of eight previous seasons.Named National Coach of the Year five times while at Miami, byBaseball America in 1994 and by the ABCA and Collegiate Baseball in1999 and 2001.Sent over 137 players to the Pro’s, including Pat Burrell (Phillies),Danny Graves (Reds), Alex Cora (Dodgers), Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox)and Kevin Brown (Dodgers).Has served three stints with the U.S. National Team: Asst. Coach for1987 Pan American Games (Silver), Head Coach for 1989 Presidential Cup(Silver) and Head Coach for 1990 Goodwill Games (Bronze).
SHORTSTOPS AND JIM MORRIS — Jim Morris, who played short-stopduring college at Elon and then in the Boston Red Sox organization, hashad great success developing the position while a head coach. Over the lastdecade Morris has taught prominent shortstops such as Nomar Garciaparra,at Georgia Tech and Bobby Hill and Alex Cora at Miami.Since 1999, Morris has been working with Javy Rodriguez, who en-tered2002 as a preseason All-American. Rodriguez led UM in just aboutevery category as a junior in 2001, including a national-high 66 stolen bases.Prior to Rodriguez Morris coached Hill, who is now regarded as theChicago Cubs top infield prospect. Before Hill was Cora and Mike Metcalfe.Both players went on to play at the Major League level with the LosAngeles Dodgers, where Cora is currently the starter. Garciaparra playedunder Morris during the coaches’ final two seasons in Atlanta and went onto become an All-Star with the Red Sox.6
50-40-30 PLATEAU — With the chance of not winning 30 games, UM mayend a streak of 31 consecutive seasons with at least 30 wins. The last time UMfailed to win 30 games was 1970 when the Hurricanes finished 28-15-1. Mor-ris’previous lowest single-season total at Miami was 41 in 2000, while his all-timelow is a 29-20 record in his first season at Georgia Tech in 1982.Prior to 2002, UM had won at least 40 games for eight straight years(1994-2001), 13 of the last 14 years and 27 of the last 29 years. Miami alsohas five 50-win seasons under Morris.
FIVE HURRICANES LISTED ON SMITH AWARD WATCH LIST — FiveHurricanes, including Kiki Bengochea, Jim Burt, Kevin Howard, George Huguetand Javy Rodriguez, are listed among the candidates for the 15th annualRotary Smith Award.
HOME GROWN HURRICANES — Of the 31 rostered Hurricanes in 2002,20 are from the tri-county (Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) area. Additionally,12 were raised in Dade County. The Miami roster also features players fromeight other states than Florida.
HURRICANES HARD TO NO-HIT — Entering New York Tech, Miami hasnot been no-hit in 2,296 games. The last time the Hurricanes were no-hit wasby Ken Huebner of Florida Southern on April 18, 1964 in Lakeland.
TWO HURRICANES CRACK BASEBALL AMERICA DRAFT 2002 TOP50 — Kevin Howard (#46) and Javy Rodriguez (#50) were recently listedamong Baseball America’s top 50 college prospects for the 2002 MLB Draft.
VINCE VAZQUEZ, JIM BURT NAMED 2002 TEAM CAPTAINS — In avote consisting of the baseball coaches, players and staff, junior pitcher VinceVazquez and sophomore outfielder Jim Burt were named the 2002 team cap-tains.It is the second straight year Vazquez was voted to be a team captain,along with Greg Lovelady, in 2001.
SEVERAL HURRICANES GARNER PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAHONORS — A total of five Hurricanes received preseason All-American honors,including Javy Rodriguez, Kiki Bengochea, George Huguet, Luke DeBold andDanny Matienzo.
Kiki Bengochea: Baseball America First-Team.
Louisville Slugger First-Team.
Luke DeBold: NCBWA Second-Team.
Kevin Howard: Baseball America Second-Team.
Louisville Slugger Second-Team.
George Huguet: NCBWA First-Team.
Louisville Slugger Third-Team.
Javy Rodriguez: NCBWA First-Team.
Louisville Slugger Second-Team.
Baseball America Third-Team.
BASEBALL AMERICA’S COLLEGE PREVIEW RECOGNIZES MIAMI –Baseball America’s Allen Simpson rated junior RHP Kiki Bengochea No. 6among the top 100 college prospects for the 2002 draft. Also making Simpson’slist were Kevin Howard (#23), T.J. Prunty (#56) and Javy Rodriguez (#72).Baseball America listed the top 50 players by class, which consisted ofseven Hurricanes in each of the four classes. Danny Figueroa (#32), RyanDixon (#34) and Rich Giannotti (#43) were among the freshmen listed. T.J.Prunty (#30) was the lone UM sophomore listed and was rated the No. 2 drafteligible sophomore. Kiki Bengochea (#6) and Kevin Howard (#22) wereamong the juniors and Javy Rodriguez (#6) was listed among seniors.Miami was selected the top independent school heading into 2002, whileBengochea, Howard, Rodriguez, Prunty and Troy Roberson were the top fiveindependent prospects. Figueroa, Dixon and Brandon Camardese were the topthree independent newcomers.
2002 HURRICANES DEFEAT ALUMNI TEAM 20-3 — Forty-five formerHurricanes spanning seven decades returned to Mark Light Stadium on Jan. 26to take part in the annual alumni game against the 2002 squad. The currentplayers were able to use solid pitching and defense plus effective power tocruise to the 20-3 victory over the former Hurricanes that included, OrlandoPalmeiro (1990), J.D. Arteaga (1994-97), Danny Buxbaum (1994-95), TomFarmer (1998-01), David Gil (1997-00), Joe Grahe (1987-89), CharltonJimerson (1998-01), Ross Jones (1979-80), Mike Rodriguez (1999-01), AlexSantos (1997-99) and Jose Trujillo (1986-89).
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS MAJOR LEAGUE TALENT — The 2002 Hur-ricaneshave a total of 19 players who have been selected in the Major LeagueDraft. Freshman pitcher Kiki Bengochea is the highest drafted player on theUM roster (3 rd Rd./Kansas City Royals). Additionally, 19 of UM’s 31 playersor 61.3 percent have been drafted by the pros.
HAROLD REYNOLDS HIGHLIGHTS PRESEASON “FIRST PITCH”BANQUET — ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst and College World Series broad-casterHarold Reynolds served as the keynote speaker at the annual “FirstPitch” Banquet at the Omni Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables. The switch-hittingsecond baseman played a total 14 seasons in the Major Leagues withSeattle, Anaheim and Baltimore. He was selected three times (1988-1990) asthe American League Gold Glove winner while he playing for Seattle.
CHARLES JOHNSON HAS HIS JERSEY NUMBER 23 RETIRED ATSUNDAY FLORIDA GATOR GAME — Charles Johnson came back to MarkLight Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 10 where he threw out the ceremonial first pitchand had his jersey number 23 retired on the outfield wall. Johnson is the ninthplayer/coach to have his baseball jersey number retired. Other Hurricanes tohave their baseball jerseys retired are Orlando Gonzalez (#20), Stan Jakubowski(#29), Randy Guerra (#25), Neal Heaton (#26), Skip Bertman (#15), MikeFiore (#12), Doug Shields (#5) and legendary head coach Ron Fraser (#1).
CHARLES JOHNSON INDUCTED INTO THE ATHLETICS HALL OFFAME — At the annual Hall of Fame Banquet held on March 14 at theDowntown Miami Hyatt Regency, former Hurricane catcher Charles Johnson(1990-92) will be among eight 2002 inductees into the University of MiamiAthletics Hall of Fame. Johnson joins Horace Copeland (track and football),Carlos Huerta (football), George Mira, Jr. (football), Art Kehoe (football),Isabella Hutchinson (women’s athletics), Frances Savage (women’s basketball)and Al Besselink (men’s golf).
HURRICANE BASEBALL WITH JIM MORRIS — The 2002 season marksthe sixth season of Hurricane Baseball with Jim Morris, a weekly half-hourtelevision program featuring the head coach of the Hurricanes. The show airson WPLG-Channel 10 and on Fox Sports Net Florida. Hosted by WPLG-Channel10 Sportscaster Frank Forte, the show features Hurricane players,coaches and special guests. Air times for the show are Saturday at 11:30 a.m.on Fox Sports Net Florida and Noon on WPLG-TV Channel 10.
VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI BASEBALL HOME PAGE ATHURRICANESPORTS.COM — The University of Miami Athletics hasteamed with OCSN, the Official College Sports Network, for a comprehensivewebsite dedicated to Hurricanes sports. Current baseball news, statistics andinformation can be found year-round at www.hurricanesports.com.
STUDENT RADIO WVUM 90.5 FM CARRIES EVERY GAME — ONTHE INTERNET — The student station of the Miami Hurricanes, WVUM90.5 FM, continues its voice into the 2002 season with coverage of everysingle Miami Hurricanes baseball game, home and away. Additionally, theWVUM broadcasted games can be listened to on the UM website atwww.hurricanesports.com or on the WVUM website at www.wvum.org.
15 GAMES AIR ON FOX SPORTS NET FLORIDA, MIAMI APPEARSON TV 20 TIMES IN 2002 — Fox Sports Net Florida will televise 15regular season Hurricane baseball games in 2002. Miami also made two ap-pearanceson Fox Sports Net South at Georgia Tech as well as the SunshineNetwork for the three games at Florida State.Longtime Miami Hurricanes broadcasters Frank Forte, of WPLG Chan-nel10 sports, and WQAM’s Joe Zagacki will handle the play-by-play in 2002,while former Hurricane baseball standout Luis “Wicho” Hernandez fills thecolor analysis.
HURRICANE BROADCAST ON SPORTSRADIO 560 WQAM — SportsRadio 560 WQAM continues its coverage of the Miami Hurricanes in 2002with 14 regular season baseball games broadcasted live. WQAM is in its thirdseason as the flagship station for University of Miami Athletics, serving thefootball, men’s basketball and baseball radio broadcast. Joe Zagacki will handlethe play-by-play role, and will be joined by WQAM’s Hurricane broadcastteam of Don Bailey Jr., Josh Darrow and Brian “The Beast” London.
UM’S SPANISH RADIO BROADCAST ON WACC 830 AM RADIOPAZ — WACC 830 AM Radio Paz once again serves as the Hurricanes’Spanish-designated AM station for 12 regular season broadcasts. Jerry delCastillo, Pepe Campos and Joe Martinez comprise UM’s Spanish broadcastingteam. In 1999, the UM Spanish radio broadcast was the first-ever to broadcastfrom a College World Series game.
