Hurricanes Step Out of Conference Play by Hosting Wright State
May 3, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – Miami (27-19) steps out of conference play this weekend to host Wright State (27-15) in a three-game series at Mark Light Field. Game times are 7 p.m., 7 p.m. and 12 p.m. The games will be carried by the Student Voice of UM, WVUM (90.5 FM), which can also be picked up online at www.wvum.org. Fans can watch Saturday night’s game through webcast on ACC Select.
The Hurricanes (27-19) are coming off a series loss to then No. 1 Florida State. Miami won the series finale, 7-1, behind a strong pitching performance from freshman lefty Eric Erickson and a 3-for-3 performance from right fielder Dennis Raben. Freshman third baseman Mark Sobolewski set a new freshman hitting streak record hitting safely in his 17th straight game.
Sophomore first baseman Yonder Alonso blasted two home runs in the FSU series opener and now has 14 homers on the season. Miami homered five times in the Florida State series with Alonso hitting two, Richard O’Brien homering twice and Sobolewski adding one. Miami has homered in 21 of its last 22 games.
Alonso continues to lead the team with a team-high 43 runs and 51 RBI. He has walked 44 times. Sobolewski is second on the team hitting .344 with a team-high 65 hits. He has driven in 46 runs. Six players are hitting above .300 including center fielder Blake Tekotte (.331), second baseman Roger Tomas (.315) and Raben (.311).
Miami will send the rotation of LHP Scott Maine (3-5, 3.44 ERA), RHP Enrique Garcia (4-3, 3.34 ERA) and LHP Eric Erickson (6-3, 2.21 ERA) to the mound this weekend.
Wright State (27-15) has won 12 of their last 14 games coming off a 14-6 win over Dayton at home on Wednesday. The Raiders are coached by former Miami players Rob Cooper, who is in his third year as head coach, and Greg Lovelady, who serves as the associate head coach.
The Raiders are hitting .324 as a team while the pitching staff has compiled a 4.39 team ERA. Shortstop Ross Oeder is hitting .414 with a team-high 70 hits from his leadoff spot. He has a team-high 58 runs. Designated hitter Justin Parker bats .383 with 20 doubles and 30 RBI. First baseman Jeremy Hamilton also has 20 doubles, six triples, six home runs and 46 RBI.
Miami has won all three games in the series against Wright State. The Hurricanes swept the series in 2006 winning, 4-2, 14-1 and 15-1 at Mark Light Field.
