Braun Double Caps Six-Run Eighth in Miami's 13-11 Win
May 2, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Ryan Braun’s strained ribs that had kept him out of the lineup for the past three weeks did not seem to bother him as he ripped a pinch-hit, three-run double into left field with two outs to cap Miami’s six-run eighth inning.
A crowd of 1,178 at Mark Light Field watched as the fourth-ranked Hurricanes (33-9) rallied from a four-run deficit in the eighth inning for a 13-11 win over Coastal Carolina. The win completed a three-game sweep of the Chanticleers, who fall to 26-18 on the season.
The Hurricanes took a 7-6 lead into the top of the eighth inning only to see Coastal Carolina take an 11-7 lead, highlighted by a three-run home run by Chris Todd and an a RBI double by Mike Costanzo off reliever Danny Gil.
With one out and runners on first and second base in Miami’s half of the eighth inning, Brian Barton pulled the Hurricanes within one run at 11-10 with a three-run home run to center field.
Richard Giannotti would follow Barton’s home run with a single to right field that chased Coastal relief pitcher Zach Baldwin from the game. Kevin Marrie came on for the Chanticleers and walked Erick San Pedro and Roger Tomas to load the bases. Josh Fish would then come into the game to pitch for Coastal Carolina.
Fish got pinch hitter Gaby Sanchez to strikeout before giving up the three-run double to Braun. It was Braun’s first appearance for the Hurricanes since straining his ribs at Florida State on April 10. Marrie took the loss for Coastal Carolina to fall to 2-3 on the season.
The game still wasn’t over for Miami as reliever Vince Bongiovanni walked two Chanticleers after getting a strikeout to open the ninth inning. At that point, Hurricanes’ skipper Jim Morris made the move to the bullpen for seldom used freshman reliever Ricky Orta.
Orta, from Miami’s Florida Christian High School, was making only his sixth career appearance. The right-hander quickly disposed of the final two Coastal Carolina hitters; getting catcher Chad Oxendine to pop up to second base and then striking out Ryan McGraw looking to earn his first career save.
Barton, Tomas and Adam Ricks all collected three hits to pace Miami’s 14-hit attack. Barton and Tomas added three RBI each, which is a career high for Tomas. Jon Jay also added two hits and three RBI.
UM starter Brandon Camardese pitched five innings, allowing five runs (five earned) on six hits in the no decision. The junior left-handed set a season-high and tied a career-high with five walks while striking out two. The Hurricanes used six pitchers out of the bullpen with Bongiovanni earning the win to improve to 3-2 on the season. He pitched two-thirds of an inning, including a strikeout to get out of the eighth inning.
The Hurricanes welcome Jacksonville to Mark Light Field for a three-game series beginning Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m.
