Hurricanes Welcome Golden Panthers to `the Light'
March 23, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes host cross-town rival Florida International Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. at Mark Light Field.
The Hurricanes and Golden Panthers have split two games so far this season with FIU taking the opener at University Park, 11-7, and Miami picking up a win in Homestead, 9-7.
Miami enters the game with a No. 5 national ranking and a 19-4 record. UM has won four straight games and 15 of its last 16.
FIU is 14-16 on the year and have won eight of 10 games headed into the series finale.
The Hurricanes lead the all-time series 84-22, including a 56-14 mark at Mark Light Field.
Right-hander Vince Bongiovanni will start the game for the Hurricanes. He is 2-1 on the season after suffering a loss at South Florida on Tuesday, March 16. He is 1-0 in his career against FIU in three appearances, including a no decision earlier this season at Homestead on Feb. 27. Bongiovanni leads the Hurricanes’ staff with 27 strikeouts this season.
Sophomore Ammer Cabrera will get the call on the mound Wednesday for Florida International. The right-hander is 1-0 on the season with a 5.74 ERA in five appearances. He will be making his second start of the season against the Hurricanes. Cabrera has pitched 15.2 innings, striking out 21 and walking 18. He is holding opposing hitters to just a .190 batting average.
Following the FIU contest, Miami will host Penn State in a three-game series at Mark Light Field over the weekend. The series is set to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, and continue on Saturday, March 27, at 7 p.m. The series finale is slated for a 1 p.m. start time on Sunday, March 28.
For more information on the Hurricanes’ baseball team, log onto www.hurricanesports.com. For ticket information you can go to the website or call the ticket office at 1-800-GO CANES.
