Santana Pitches No. 23 Miami Past Rutgers, 4-1
March 14, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Redshirt sophomore Jason Santana struck out a career-high seven in 5 2/3 innings and sophomore first baseman Yonder Alonso went 2-for-4 with two RBI and his sixth home run in leading No. 23 Miami to a 4-1 win over Rutgers (6-8) Wednesday night at Mark Light Field. Blake Tekotte added a pair of hits and an RBI for the Hurricanes (12-9) who won their second straight game heading into this weekend’s Atlantic Coast Conference home opening series.
Dennis Raben earned his first career save as he sat down all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. David Gutierrez tossed 2 1/3 innings in relief and struck out two for the Hurricanes. Santana held the Scarlet Knights to one run on two hits. He walked two batters before leaving in the sixth inning.
Dennis Hill took the loss for the Scarlet Knights as he walked six in five innings and had two strikeouts. He allowed three runs on three hits. Shortstop Todd Frazier led Rutgers going 1-for-3 with a home run.
Miami took advantage of a couple of walks in the bottom of the fourth to score the game’s first run. Raben and Ryan Jackson walked with one out. Raben scored on Tekotte’s RBI single through the right side putting UM ahead, 1-0.
The Hurricanes stretched their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Roger Tomas walked and stole second. He scored on Alonso’s triple off the top of the fence in center field putting Miami ahead, 2-0. Alonso scored on Raben’s ground out.
Frazier led off the top of the sixth with a solo home run to straightaway center field. His seventh homer of the season pulled the Scarlet Knights within, 3-1. Alonso answered right back in the bottom of the seventh when he blasted his sixth home run of the season as Miami led, 4-1.
Miami continues its five-game homestand when the Hurricanes return to ACC play. UM will host Maryland this weekend in the conference home opener. Game times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday while Sunday’s game will start at 1 p.m. Saturday’s game will be televised on CSS. Fans are also encouraged to attend Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day game as UM will wear a commemorative game hat. Twenty-five Hurricane fans will be selected to received an autographed game hat from Saturday’s game.
