Miami Hammers NC State, 19-5
June 5, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Miami’s starting pitcher Cesar Carrillo gave up four runs in the first inning but it would not matter as the right-hander settled down and the Hurricanes’ bats exploded for 19 runs on 19 hits to dispatch the second-seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack.
Top-ranked and top-seeded Miami improved to 46-11 on the season in front of 2,227 fans at Mark Light Field. The Hurricanes have now won nine games in a row, while NC State falls to 36-23 on the season.
“Our guys did a good job of hanging in there,” said UM head coach Jim Morris. “NC State is a very good team with great pitching, and we did a great job hitting the ball today.”
Carrillo only allowed one run – a Dustin Knight home run in the fourth inning – after the four run first inning that was highlighted by Mike Jensen’s three-run home run. Carrillo improves to 10-0 on the year and Miami is now 14-0 in his starts and 17-0 when he pitches.
Gaby Sanchez and Jim Burt led Miami’s offensive attack that shelled the Wolfpack for five runs in the second inning, two in the third and four run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Sanchez went 3 for five with a double, home run, four runs scored and a career-high tying six RBI. Burt collected four hits including his 13th homerun and 23rd double of the season while driving in five runs. He now has a team-best 67 RBI on the season.
“We take facing good pitchers as a challenge. We want to hit them, score runs, and put pressure on them,” said Sanchez.
Jon Jay continued his hot hitting with two hits – including a three-run home run – and four RBI. Adam Ricks went 3 for 4 with four runs scored and Erick San Pedro went 3 for 5 with an RBI and his first career bunt single. Brian Barton added two hits and three RBI.
North Carolina State starter Michael Rogers pitched 3.2 innings and allowed 11 runs – all earned – on 12 hits and walked a season-high three to fall to 9-4 on the year.
“We got absolutely pounded with our best pitcher going – everything we threw they hit,” said NC State head coach Elliott Avent. “We are talking about a team that is awfully tired, a team that is awfully dejected.”
Miami will face the winner of tonight’s NC State/Florida Atlantic game at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 6 to advance to next week’s Super Regional.
