March 2, 2006
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The University of Miami Hurricanes will host the Indiana Hoosiers at Mark Light Field this weekend for a three-game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday, March 3, at 7 p. m. beginning the second night series played at “The Light” this season. The teams will meet again Saturday, March 4, at 7 p. m. and close out the series on Sunday, March 5, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p. m.
Indiana is one of two Big Ten schools Miami will play during the regular season, the other being Michigan State next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Light. Miami is 103-41-5 all-time versus Big 10 opponents.
All three games will be broadcast by the Student Voice of Miami, WVUM (90.5 FM). Miami’s flagship stations, WQAM 560 AM will provide the play-by-play and commentary by Joe Zagacki and Brian London on Saturday, March 4.
Miami (9-6) enters the game as winners of their last three collegiate contests and have never lost to Indiana, having only met three times back in 1974. The 32-year hiatus marks the second-longest period between meetings, the longest ending in 2004 when Miami played La Salle after a 38 year break.
The Hurricanes had the Florida Marlins on the ropes in an exhibition contest Wednesday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. UM was poised for a second-straight win against the Fish until a ninth-inning rally ended those hopes and resulted in a 9-8 loss. Junior center fielder Jon Jay drove in four runs on a single and two-run home run and freshman Blake Tekotte also hit a two-run homer to pace the `Canes.
Indiana (0-3) comes in having been swept by Charlotte in its season-opening series and first for new head coach Tracy Smith. The Hoosiers have a rough start to the 2006 campaign, beginning with a seven-game road trip before playing their first home game on March 8 and then going back on the road for another seven game swing.
Carlos Guttierez (RHP, 4-1, 1.86 ERA) is the projected starter for the series opener, followed by Manny Miguelez (LHP, 2-1, 1.97 ERA) on Saturday. Lefty Scott Maine (1-0, 5.68 ERA) is projected to get his third start of the season for Sunday’s closer. Freshman first-baseman Yonder Alonso enters the series leading the `Canes in batting average (.407), hits (22), RBI (21), total bases (34) and on-base percentage (.476).
The Hoosiers will counter with senior right-hander Josh Lewis (0-1, 7.36) in Friday’s opener and freshman Tyler Tufts (0-0, 11.25) for Saturday’s game. Game three’s starter is undecided but IU has five pitchers on its staff who have made previous starts, including Eric Wagner (0-1, 4.50 ERA) who started against Charlotte. Senior captain outfielder Jay Brant comes into the game leading the Hoosiers in seven offensive categories including: batting average (.357), runs, hits, at bats, home runs, walks and total bases.