Cockroft and Burt Lead Hurricanes to a 6-1 win
April 11, 2003
Charlottesville, Va. (hurricanesports.com) – J.D. Cockroft pitched the first complete game by a Miami pitcher in 145 games, as the Hurricanes cruised to a 6-1 win over Virginia Friday night in front of 865 fans at Davenport Field.
“That was the best game we have played all year,” Head Coach Jim Morris said. “J.D. (Cockroft) pitched an outstanding game and Jim Burt picked us up offensively.”
Cockroft gave up one unearned run and six hits in his nine innings, while striking out five and only walking one on 103 pitches. The last complete game by a Miami pitcher was Feb. 24, 2001, as Kiki Bengochea recorded a 2-0 shut out of Florida International.
“To tell you the truth, the last inning felt as good as the first inning,” Cockroft said. “I got in a rhythm early and stayed in a groove the entire game.”
The 10th-ranked Hurricanes improve to 26-6 on the season, while Virginia fell to 20-11.
Jim Burt led the way offensively for UM, going 2-for-4 with a season-high four RBIs and two home runs. Adam Ricks added a 3-for-5 performance, including an RBI and three doubles. Ricks is the first Cane to register three doubles in a game since Kevin Howard collected three two baggers against Georgia Tech on May 11, 2002.
Burt blew the game wide open in the sixth inning with his second home run of the night and his eighth of the season. The three-run shot put UM on top 6-1 and gave Burt a season-high five RBIs.
Burt put the Hurricanes on the scoreboard in the second inning with his seventh home run of the season deep to left-center field off UVA starter Chris Gale.
Back-to-back-to-back doubles with two outs in the third inning extended Miami’s lead to 3-0. Danny Figueroa got things started with a double in the right-center field gap. Adam Ricks followed with another double to right center to score Figueroa. Ryan Braun then doubled over the center-fielders head to score Ricks.
Braun’s double extended his hitting streak to 14-games, which is a season high for the Hurricanes.
A walk issued to Kyle Werman by Cockroft came around to haunt the southpaw. A throwing error by catcher Erick San Pedro on a failed pick-off attempt allowed Werman to score on a single by Matt Street.
The Hurricanes and Cavaliers will return to action Saturday at 6 p.m. at Davenport Field. The 6 p.m. game time is a change from the originally scheduled 7 p.m.
