Hurricanes Handle Ball State, 9-1
May 20, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – J.D. Cockroft threw a masterful eight innings as the fourth-ranked Miami Hurricanes exploded for five runs in the seventh inning to down Ball State 9-1 in front of 1,015 fans at Mark Light Field.
Cockroft improved to 7-4 on the year, allowing only three hits while striking out three and walking one. Mike Johnston took the loss to fall to 3-7 on the season. He lasted 5.2 innings and gave up four runs on six hits while walking a career-high six.
The Hurricanes — who had not hit a home run in six games – launched three long balls Thursday night. Richard Giannotti hit his fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning, a two-run shot to deep left field. The shot followed a diving catch in right field to end the top half of the sixth inning.
Brian Barton and Erick San Pedro followed with home runs in Miami’s five-run seventh inning. Barton launched a solo shot to the opposite field for his fifth home run of the year, while San Pedro crushed another solo home run deep into left field for his eighth of the season.
Roger Tomas added a two-RBI single in the inning and Jon Jay then followed with a run-scoring base knock to center field.
Joey Hooft paced Miami with three hits with Jay and Adam Ricks adding two each in UM’s 13-hit attack. Jim Burt added a double down the left-field line in the eighth inning, which tied him for fourth all-time at the University of Miami with 55 career doubles. It was his 22nd double of the 2004 season, which tied him for the 10th most in a single season at Miami.
Marc Franz paced the Ball State offense with two hits and a RBI. The Cardinals managed only four hits on the night.
Senior Andrew Cohn made his first appearance of the season for Miami in the ninth inning. He allowed one hit and one walk but retired the side without allowing a runner past first base.
The Hurricanes and Cardinals continue their three-game series with a 7 p.m. contest at Mark Light Field Friday, May 21.
