Miami Holds On to Down Florida, 8-7; Sunday's Game Set for 3 p.m.
June 12, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Top-ranked and third-seeded Miami rode a three-run seventh inning behind three errors by Florida as the Hurricanes upended the Gators, 8-7, in Game 1 of the 2004 NCAA Coral Gables Super Regional at Mark Light Field.
With the win, the Hurricanes (48-11) take a one-game advantage in the best of three series with the Gators (43-21) heading into Game 2 Sunday.
In front of a sellout crowd of 5,097, Miami and Florida combined for 26 hits in the opener as the Hurricanes scored eight runs on 11 hits while the Gators scored seven on 15 hits.
Miami reliever Ricky Orta (2-0) was credited with the win as UF starter Justin Hoyman (11-2) shouldered the loss for Florida.
The Hurricanes’ Jon Jay opened the scoring in the first inning with a lead-off home run to right field off Hoyman to put UM up 1-0.
Florida threatened in the top of the second when a double off the left field wall by Matt LaPorta put runners on second and third with no outs for the Gators. Miami smothered the UF scoring attempt, highlighted by catcher Erick San Pedro picking off Jeff Corsaletti at third followed by a J.D. Cockroft strike out.
Adam Davis put Florida on the board for the first time in the top of the third, singling to center to plate Jonathan Tucker from second. Davis then added another run, coming in to score on a single off the bat of Ben Harrison to give UF a 2-1 lead.
Miami’s Adam Ricks tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the third, sending Roger Tomas home on a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Gators responded in the top of the fourth on a solo shot to left-center by Brain Leclerc and once again in the fifth on a home run to left by LaPorta, extending the UF lead to two.
Following a sacrifice bunt down the third base line by Jay advancing Hurricane runners to second and third, Miami’s Ricks singled to left to bring in Richard Giannotti. UM’s Ryan Braun knotted the score at 4-4 on the following at bat with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Tomas from third.
Cockroft’s outing came to an end in the top of the sixth following a single through the right side of the infield by the Gators’ Brian Jeroloman. The Hurricane starter gave way to Orta after 5.1 innings work, allowing 10 hits, four runs (all earned), three walks and five strikeouts.
UM’s Jim Burt gave the Hurricanes the go ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, coming in to score from second on an error by Florida right fielder Ben Harrison.
The Hurricanes capitalized on three errors in the bottom of the seventh as Jay and Ricks scored after each reached base on throwing errors by UF pitcher Justin Hoyman. Braun added Miami’s eighth run of the game, reaching home on a fielders choice off the bat of Burt.
Florida’s Justin Tordi closed the gap in the eighth with a two-run home run to left field off UM reliever Marcelo Albir to bring the score to 8-6. Tucker then doubled to left field before coming in from second on a double by Davis to put the Gators within one run before the Hurricanes’ Danny Gil came on to replace Albir, striking out Ben Harrison to end the Florida rally.
UF reliever Darren O’Day replaced Hoyman in the bottom of the eighth, taking the hill from the Florida starter after 7.0 innings with 10 hits, eight runs (two earned), one walk and three strikeouts.
Gil held on to the UM lead in the ninth, striking out two to secure the Hurricane 8-7 victory, collecting his fifth save of the season.
The Hurricanes and Gators will return to Mark Light Field Sunday, June 12, 2004 for Game 2 of the 2004 NCAA Coral Gables Super Regional at 3 p.m..
