No.5 Miami Hurricanes Complete Sweep of No. 11 UCLA, 7-3
Feb. 11, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – Sophomore center fielder Blake Tekotte drove in two runs in matching a career-best 3-for-4 performance and the No. 5 University of Miami Hurricanes exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to complete the series sweep of No. 11 UCLA, 7-3, Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Field. Dennis Raben finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Hurricanes, who moved to 3-2 on the season.
Enrique Garcia (1-0) won his first collegiate game for Miami as he tossed two innings in relief and allowed one run on one hit while striking out two. Left-hander Manny Miguelez started the game for Miami and pitched seven strong innings holding UCLA to two runs on five hits. He added two strikeouts.
Justin Uribe led UCLA (2-4) going 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI including his first career home run.
With the game tied 3-3, Raben started a one-out rally in the bottom of eighth. He doubled down the right field line. Gus Menendez was then hit by a pitch before Richard O’Brien’s pinch-hit single loaded the bases. Raben scored on a wild pitch giving UM a 4-3 lead. After Jason Hagerty reached on a fielder’s choice, Tekotte laced a single into center field that scored two runs putting Miami ahead, 6-3. Jemile Weeks then drove in Tekotte to make it, 7-3.
Uribe tied the game in the top of the eighth for the Bruins when he hit a solo home run to left field.
Roger Tomas’ pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the sixth gave UM the lead its second lead of the game, 3-2. Raben led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to center field and scored on Tomas’ ground ball up the middle.
UCLA scored two runs in the top of the sixth to pull even, 2-2. Aiden Carrither’s ground out to second base brought home Cody Decker for the Bruins first run of the game. Will Penniall then singled to center field to score Uribe tying the game.
Miami scored first for the third straight day when Tekotte led off the bottom of the third with a bunt single. Weeks’ sacrifice bunt moved him over before a wild pitch moved Tekotte to third. Yonder Alonso’s sacrifice fly scored Tekotte for the early 1-0 lead.
The Hurricanes pushed their lead to one run when Tekotte started another scoring opportunity. He led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left field. Another Weeks’ sacrifice bunt moved the runner up and Tekotte advanced to third on a UCLA wild pitch. Ryan Jackson then reached on an error which allowed Tekotte to score to make it, 2-0.
Paul Schmidt suffered his second loss of the season for the Bruins as he allowed the go-ahead run without getting a batter out in the bottom of the eighth. UCLA starter Gavin Brooks lasted 4.1 innings. Brooks struck out three and allowed two runs on three hits.
Miami returns to action next weekend when the Hurricanes travel to in-state rival Florida. Game times are 6:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Gainesville.
Series Notes: Miami hit .286 in the series with UCLA while Hurricane pitchers posted a 3.33 ERA … Hurricane pitchers struck out 25 in 27 innings over the weekend … Sophomore first baseman Yonder Alonso hit .571 (4-for-7) against UCLA with two home runs and six RBIs. He also walked four times and owned a .615 on-base percentage … Hurricane pitchers held UCLA to a .211 batting average … Sophomore center fielder Blake Tekotte hit .444 (4-for-9) with four runs and four RBIs against the Bruins … Sophomore outfielder Dave DiNatale had his first two collegiate hits as a Hurricane as he went 2-for-4 in two games … Redshirt junior lefty Scott Maine earned his first decision of the season in game one of the series as he struck out five in five innings in holding UCLA to two hits … Freshman left-hander Eric Erickson claimed his first career save in game one while fellow freshman David Gutierrez tossed a scoreless inning in relief to register his first collegiate win in game two … Junior right-handed pitcher Enrique Garcia also picked up his first collegiate win for the Hurricanes … Senior pitcher Danny Gil matched a career-high with eight strikeouts in five innings in the second game of the series … Junior lefty Manny Miguelez tossed seven strong innings holding UCLA to two runs on five hits … Miami out-hit UCLA, 26-20, and had seven extra-base hits including three home runs.
