Baseball Pounds New York Tech 16-1 In Opener
May 24, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – The University of Miami baseball team (28-26) opened up the New York Tech series strong defeating the Bears (27-23), 16-1, in front of 2,132 fans Friday night at Mark Light Stadium.
Miami scored 13 runs over the first three innings, including five in the first and seven in the third. The seven-run third tied for the largest in a single inning this season by the Hurricanes. During the first three innings, UM received home runs from Javy Rodriguez, Jim Burt and Paco Figueroa. Rodriguez drove in the first three runs in the first inning with his fifth home run of the season. Burt closed out the first with a two-run home run, his eighth. Paco Figueroa knocked in the first four runs in the third with his first career grand slam and his third home run of the season.
The 15-run margin of victory was the largest this season for Miami, surpassing the 12-run win in the 14-2 decision over Bethune-Cookman on May 5.
UM starter Dan Touchet (5-2) went the first 5.0 innings for the win with five hits, one unearned run, no walks and three strikeouts in 69 pitches. It was the second time this season Touchet did not allow a walk, the only two times a UM starter has done so this season.
NYIT starter Andrew Karkoulas (5-3) scored the loss after giving up the first six UM runs in 1.0 inning of work. The Bears used five pitchers in the outing. Both Chris Perez and Kyle Patten allowed five earned runs each in their outings.
The Hurricanes started strong, 5-0, scoring five runs in the first inning off Karkoulas, including a home runs from Rodriguez and Burt. Paco Figueroa led off the inning with a single to right field. Brad Safchik followed with a single up the middle, moving Paco Figueroa to third on the play. Rodriguez then hit his fifth home run of the season deep down the left field line to put UM ahead 3-0. Danny Matienzo walked and would move to second on a single to right center by Kevin Howard. The Bears would then turn Richard Giannotti’s strikeout into a double play as Matienzo was tagged moving to third on the hit-and-run. With two outs, Burt lifted a Karkoulas pitch deep to left field for the 5-0 lead.
The Bears scored once in the top of the second, 5-1, on Garrett McDevitt’s RBI ground out that scored Anthony St. George from third, unearned. St. George led off with a single to centerfield and took second off Wayne Seder’s single through the left side. Both runners would later move over a base after a passed ball, just prior to McDevitt’s at bat.
Miami answered with a run, 6-1, in the bottom of the second on Matienzo’s sacrifice fly RBI to centerfield that scored Danny Figueroa from third. Danny Figueroa led off with a walk, took second on a walk to Paco Figueroa then to third on Rodriguez’ single to centerfield.
Miami surged ahead, 13-1, in the third scoring seven runs on four hits, including four walks. Giannotti and Burt both walked, then moved over a base on a wild pitch. After Greg Dini struck out, the bases were loaded on a walk to Danny Figueroa. Paco Figueroa then came up with his first career grand slam, to left field, putting the Hurricanes ahead 10-1. Safchik followed with a walk and took second on a balk. He scored on Rodriguez’ double down the left field line. Rodriguez then stole third and came in on Matienzo’s single to centerfield. Howard walked. Giannotti knocked in Matienzo from second with a single to centerfield, moving Howard to second.
The Hurricanes fielded their reserves to start the fifth inning, changing every position but Touchet on the mound.
UM went ahead 16-1 in the seventh scoring three more runs on three hits and one error. Matienzo scored the first run, 14-1, coming in from third on a throwing error by the catcher. With one out, Matienzo singled to right center and took second on a passed ball. He then stole third and on the play the catcher threw past the third baseman into left field. Later in the inning, Giannotti walked followed by a double from Haas Pratt to put runners on second and third. Erick San Pedro then knocked both in with his single to left field.
Miami and New York Tech continue the series Saturday night at 7 p.m. The two teams conclude the series on Sunday at 12 p.m. Both games can be heard over the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com or on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM.
The Saturday night game will be televised live on Fox Sports Net Florida and will be broadcast on UM’s flagship station Sports Radio 560 WQAM as well as UM’s Spanish Broadcast Network on WACC 830 AM Radio Paz.
On Saturday, May 25th the first 1,250 fans in attendance will receive a free University of Miami logo baseball, courtesy of Lipton Tea. The Second Annual Autograph Day will be held on Sunday, May 26th after the conclusion of the regular season finale vs. New York Tech. Players will be stationed throughout Mark Light Stadium for pictures and autographs.
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.
