Baseball Comes Up Short In 3-2 Loss To Elon
March 29, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The Miami Hurricanes (16-12) ended its five-game win streak with a 3-2 loss to Elon University (19-4) Friday night in front of 1,487 fans at Mark Light Stadium.
Miami drew nine walks off Elon pitching and struck out just three times, yet left 11 runners on base. UM starter Vince Bongiovanni (0-2), who started in place of Troy Roberson (sore elbow), had a solid outing despite the loss. The freshman went 5.1 innings with five hits, two earned runs, no walks and eight strikeouts. The eight strikeouts tied the team-season-high by a starter this year, set by Roberson vs. FIU on Feb. 22. Elon’s third run in the seventh inning was unearned off one of Miami’s four errors in the game.
Elon starter Whit Bryant (5-0) scored the win as he went 6.2 innings with three hits, one earned run, eight walks, two strikeouts, one hit batter in 116 pitches.
Javy Rodriguez (14) and Brad Safchik (11) each continued their hit streaks into the second game of the series on Saturday.
Elon opened the scoring, 2-0, in the fourth inning with two runs off three hits. Gary Morris led off with a single to centerfield. Brian Ingram then drove Morris in with a double down the left field line. Ingram went to third on a wild pitch and came in on Bryant’s ground out.
UM narrowed the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fourth as Jim Burt hit a single off the pitcher allowing Danny Matienzo to score from third. Matienzo led off the inning getting hit by a pitch, went to second on a walk to Matt Dryer and then to third on Kevin Howard’s sacrifice bunt.
Elon added another run, 3-1, in the seventh when Jim Swensen scored from third on a Matt Dryer error off Taylor Stewart’s double to right field. Dryer committed a fielding error on the relay throw from right field on Stewart’s double allowing Stewart to score.
The Hurricanes came back with one run in the eighth inning to bring the score to 3-2. Howard led off with a double to left field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Later in the inning he scored on Hooft’s single to the shortstop.
Miami and Elon continue the series on Saturday at 7 p.m. The series conclusion is at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Both games can be heard on the Internet at www.hurricanesports.com or on the student voice of the Hurricanes, WVUM 90.5 FM.
Saturday night’s game will feature 2002 Olympic Medal winner Jennifer Rodriguez throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Rodriguez, a speedskater, won two Medals at the recent Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and is a Miami resident.
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.
