Seventh-Inning Rally Saves Hurricanes in 6-5 Win Over Elon
March 7, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The sixth-ranked University of Miami baseball team used a four-run seventh-inning rally to squeak past Elon University, 6-5, on Sunday in front of 1,457 fans at Mark Light Field.
Head Coach Jim Morris’ Hurricanes improve to 11-3 on the season and have won seven straight games. Morris now holds a 10-3 record against his alma mater, Elon, including a 9-3 mark at Miami and a 1-0 record at Georgia Tech. Elon heads home with a 6-9 record and have lost four straight to the Hurricanes.
With Miami trailing, 5-2, Erick San Pedro led off the seventh inning with a triple. It was his first triple of the season and only the second of his career. Adam Ricks, who has now reached base in 10 consecutive plate appearances, followed with a RBI single that the Elon right fielder lost in the sun. Ricks finished the day 1 for 1 with a walk and was hit by two pitches.
Brian Barton followed with a bunt single, and then Jon Jay doubled in Barton to pull the Hurricanes within one at 5-4. That would be the end for Elon starter Lance Cole (1-1), who took the loss, after giving up six runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked two on the afternoon.
Ryan Braun tied the game at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly to right field off reliever Matt McSwain. UM then took the lead on Jim Burt’s RBI double that fell between the shortstop and left fielder.
Danny Gill earned the win with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He didn’t allow a hit and struck out three. Gil is now 3-0 on the season and leads the Hurricanes’ pitching staff in wins.
George Huguet earned his second save of the season with two innings of work. It was his 33rd career save at Miami, just four behind UM’s all-time leader in saves, Rick Raether. Raether had 37 saves from 1984-86.
Elon scored one run in the first inning on a throwing error by Brandon Camardese, who had Elon’s Evan Tartaglia picked off but threw wild of third base. Camardese would throw four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, while striking out four and walking three. He also balked and hit two batters.
The Phoenix went up 2-0 on a solo home run by Tyler Stevens in the third inning. Elon then padded the lead with one run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.
The two runs in the fifth were supplied with RBI triples from Chris Norwood and Matt Stocco.
The Hurricanes got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fifth inning on a lead off home run by Brendan Katin. It was Katin’s fifth home run of the season and third in the past two games. Jay then followed with an RBI single up the middle.
Jay finished the day 3 for 4 with two RBI and his fourth double of the season.
Miami is off until Wednesday, March 10, when the Campbell Camels visit Mark Light Field for a 7 p.m. contest. UM then welcomes Rutgers for a three-game series on March 12-14.
