North Florida Holds On to Edge Miami, 3-2
April 18, 2007
Coral Gables, Fla. – – North Florida’s Antonio Franzese two-hit Miami through seven innings in his first start of the season to lead the Ospreys to a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes Wednesday night at Mark Light Field. Dennis Raben hit his ninth home run of the season and Jemile Weeks returned to hit his fourth home run in his first pate appearance after missing 11-games due to injury for Miami, who fell to 22-17 on the season.
Franzese limited UM to one hit and one run on Raben’s home run before giving up a one-out single to Mark Sobolewski in the bottom of the seventh. He finished with four strikeouts. Derek Bell registered his first save of the season striking out the final batter of the game with the tying run at second base.
UM starter Manny Miguelez scattered four hits through six innings before running into some trouble in the top of the seventh. He ended up allowing two earned runs on four hits, but he walked three. David Gutierrez pitched two innings in relief and allowed one unearned run, which came off a walk. Danny Gil tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
The Hurricanes trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Yonder Alonso led off with a single to center field. Sobolewski’s sacrifice bunt advanced him, but Bell was able to get Raben to pop up to shallow center field. Gus Menendez struck out swinging to end the game.
Weeks pinch hit in the bottom of the eighth with two outs. He drove an 0-2 count over the wall in right center pulling UM within, 3-2. Ryan Jackson led off the eighth when he reached on an error, but Richard O’Brien’s fly ball into shallow right field was caught. Jackson was thrown out at first base for the double play.
UNF took advantage of a leadoff walk and an error by UM to score an insurance run in the top of the eighth. After Dandridge’s leadoff walk, James Belyea reached on a fielder’s choice when Gutierrez tried to throw out Dandridge at second. Dandridge advanced to third and scored on TJ Thompson’s fielder’s choice giving the Ospreys a 3-1 lead.
UNF loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh. After back-to-back to walks were issued, Travis Martin reached on a fielder’s choice. Gutierrez then struck out Kevin Martin. Mycal Jones hit into a fielder’s choice which scored Brian Wilson breaking a 2-1 lead.
Raben put Miami ahead, 1-0, with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the second. It was fourth consecutive home run in four games. UNF answered with a run in the top of the third when TJ Martin scored on Jones’ ground out tying the game, 1-1.
Miami returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend when UM travels to Virginia Tech for a three-game series. Game times are 7 p.m., 5 p.m. and 12 p.m.
