Hurricanes Fall to Florida International, 11-7
Feb. 26, 2004
MIAMI — Florida International tallied eight runs in the first three innings and cruised to an 11-7 win over Miami in front of 1,622 fans at FIU’s University Park.
The loss snaps UM’s three game winning streak over FIU and drops the Hurricanes to 4-3 on the season. Florida International improves to 5-7 on the season. The two teams will meet again Friday night at the Homestead Complex in the Papa John’s Homestead Challenge.
Miami collected four hits in the ninth inning, including an RBI single from Gaby Sanchez. Sanchez led the Hurricanes at the plate with a 3-for-4 night. Paco Figueroa, Joey Hooft and Jim Burt all chipped in with two hits each.
FIU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on RBI single by Dennis Diaz and a RBI ground out by Mario Suarez.
The Golden Panthers extended the lead to 4-0 in the second inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Michael Lopez and Yahmed Yema. FIU wasn’t through in the second inning, turning a Ryan Braun error at shortstop into another run on a RBI single from Dennis Diaz.
Cockroft would load the bases with one out in the third inning before giving way to freshman right-hander Chris Perez. Perez would strikeout Eduardo Davila for the second out, but surrendered two runs on an error by Gaby Sanchez at third base and a wild pitch to give FIU an 8-0 lead through three innings.
Florida International would hit Cockroft (0-2) hard over 2.1 innings, as the UM left-hander allowed eight hits and eight runs (three earned). The start was the shortest in Cockroft’s career, which covers 19 starts. His shortest start prior to tonight was 3.1 innings against Texas last season in the College World Series.
Miami would get on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with the help of a wild pitch from FIU starter Derek DeCarlo and a RBI single by Jon Jay.
FIU tacked on a run in the sixth inning to on a wild pitch by Chiqui Chirino, who relieved Chris Perez after 3.1 innings. Perez had loaded the bases before giving way to Chirino.
Burt would get the Hurricanes back in the game with the first grand slam of his UM career. Jay led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a solid single up the middle from Figueroa. With one out, Roger Tomas singled through the left side to load the bases for Burt. The single was Tomas’ first career hit.
P.J. Lehmann would end any hopes of a UM comeback with a two-out, two-run home run to right field giving FIU a 11-6 lead through seven innings.
