#16 Miami Posts 17-3 Opening Day Win Against FIU
Jan. 28, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami’s slew of newcomers and first-time starting pitcher Carlos Gutierrez made a strong first impression in front of a capacity crowd of 2,500 at Mark Light Field with a season-opening 17-3 win against Florida International on Saturday afternoon.
Gutierrez pitched five scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out three to earn his first career win. The Miami offense provided more than enough support to comfort Gutierrez, producing the most opening-day runs since beating Barry 25-0 to open the 1996 season.
Miami pounded-out 19 hits, 13 by those playing in their first game in a Hurricane uniform. Thirteen of the team’s 17 runs batted in were from Hurricane newcomers, including home runs by senior Tommy Giles and junior Gus Menendez. Giles led the way for the UM rookies, going 3-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored, including a three-run home run in the fifth inning. Freshman leadoff hitter Blake Tekotte dropped in three RBIs and catcher Richard O’Brien went 3-for-3 coming off the bench.
Centerfielder Jon Jay represented the UM veterans well, going 2-for-2 with a grand slam. Junior shortstop Roger Tomas went 3-for-5 and third baseman Danny Valencia scored three runs.
The Hurricanes led 7-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth, thanks in large part to a six-run third that was sparked by a pair of two-run singles by Tekotte and Giles. UM loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth on a single by Tomas, a walk to Tekotte and a single by freshman Jemile Weeks to right field. Jay hit a drive to left-center that rode an outgoing wind over the fence for his grand slam. Valencia reached base on a throwing error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Yonder Alfonso reached first on a walk, and Giles hit his three-run blast to left field to give the Hurricanes a 14-0 advantage after the fifth.
FIU got on the board in the sixth after Nick Cadena reached first on a fielder’s choice, after Michael Lopez was hit by a pitch. Cody Jacobs hit a home run to put two runs on the board. The Golden Panthers tacked on another run in the seventh inning to complete the scoring for both teams on the day.
Walker Whitley was charged with the loss for FIU, giving up seven earned runs in three innings on seven hits. Dennis Raben, who went 1-for-2 with a RBI at the plate, pitched two innings and gave up three runs on four hits for Miami. Hurricane redshirt freshman Jason Santana made his collegiate debut and pitched the final two innings for UM, giving up only one hit and striking out two.
The Hurricanes and Golden Panthers will play the back end of the home-and-home series on Sunday at University Park with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
Notes: Giles recorded the team’s first hit and stolen base of the season… Jay’s grand slam in the fifth inning was the first since Ryan Braun hit one against George Washington on Feb. 25, 2005… the home run also equaled Jay’s home run total from last year… Richard O’Brien doubled in his first at bat… Menendez became the first Hurricane to hit a home run in his first UM at bat since Adam Ricks hit a four-bagger against FIU on Feb. 3, 2003… Miami pitchers hit five batters, the most since plunking five on June 8, 2003 against N.C. State.
