Hernandez Fans Eight as No. 10 UM Sweeps Cincinnati, 8-0
Feb. 24, 2008
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CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – Freshman left-hander Chris Hernandez tossed six shutout innings and struck out eight to earn his first career win and juniors Adan Severino and Jemile Weeks each homered as the No. 10 ranked University of Miami baseball team (3-0) cruised to an 8-0 win over Cincinnati Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Field to sweep the season-opening series over the Bearcats (0-2).
Hernandez, facing just three batters over the minimum in six innings, allowed just three hits and didn’t walk a batter in his first start as a Hurricane. He recorded at least one strikeout in all six innings of work and allowed only one Bearcat to reach scoring position while he was on the mound.
Weeks and Severino each finished with two hits, including Severino’s first career homer, a two-run shot in the sixth, and Weeks’ solo blast that came in the seventh. Weeks also provided the first two runs of the afternoon with a two-RBI double in the fifth. Ryan Jackson and Mark Sobolewski also finished with two hits on the afternoon.
Jason Santana came on in relief of Hernandez in the seventh and earned his first career save after holding the Bearcats to just two hits over the final three innings.
Tyler Smith suffered the loss for Cincinnati, allowing two runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings before giving way to the bullpen where five Bearcat relievers would allow six runs over the final 4 1/3 innings.
The Hurricanes broke a scoreless tie in the fifth when Weeks smacked a two-run double to left-center, scoring Jackson, who had doubled to lead off the inning and Blake Tekotte, who was hit by a pitch just moments before the run-scoring double.
The following inning, UM would add four more runs to push the lead to 6-0. Yonder Alonso walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth before Sobolewski brought him home for UM’s third run with a lined double to left. Two batters later, Dave DiNatale tripled to right-center, scoring Sobolewski from second to give the `Canes a 4-0 lead before Severino’s homer put UM up, 6-0.
Miami would tack on two more runs with one in the seventh and another in the eighth. Weeks would hit his first homer of the season with an opposite field blast to right in the seventh and Yasmani Grandal picked up his first career RBI with a double to center, scoring Severino for the eighth and final run.
The Hurricanes will travel to Jupiter on Tuesday to face the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game at Roger Dean Stadium at 3:05 p.m.
Series Notes
§ Ryan Jackson and Mark Sobolewski tied for a team-leading five hits against Cincinnati this weekend. Jackson hit .500 (5-for-10) with three runs, two doubles and his third career triple. Sobolewski hit .385 (5-for-13) with two doubles and two RBI.
§ Freshman designated hitter Joey Terdoslavich hit .333 (4-for-12) with one run, one RBI and a double in his first action as a Hurricane.
§ Junior second baseman Jemile Weeks had a team-high three RBI in the series. He finished with three hits including a double and a home run.
§ Jason Hagerty and Adan Severino each hit their first career home runs this weekend.
§ Freshman lefty Chris Hernandez struck out eight in his first collegiate start Sunday. Hernandez scattered three hits over six innings.
§ Junior right-hander Jason Santana made his first appearance Sunday since March 14, 2007 against Rutgers. He recorded his first career save when he tossed three solid innings and struck out three against the Bearcats.
§ Sophomore right-hander Kyle Bellamy earned his first career win, tossing a perfect eighth inning in the 6-4 Saturday win. On the weekend, Bellamy made two appearances and struck out five in three innings of work.
§ Redshirt junior pitcher Carlos Gutierrez made his first appearance Friday night since 2006 after sitting out 2007 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Gutierrez picked up back-to-back saves Friday and Saturday.
§ Sophomore lefty Eric Erickson won his first game of the season Friday striking out six in six innings and allowing just four hits.
§ Miami’s pitching staff compiled a 1.67 ERA on the weekend and struck out 33 batters in 27 innings while walking just eight. UM held its opponent to a .149 batting average.
§ Miami hit .299 on the weekend including 14 extra-base hits (8 doubles, 2 triples and 4 home runs).
