Hernandez, Gutierrez Lead No. 5 UM Past NC State, 2-1
March 15, 2008
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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>RALEIGH, N.C. – Freshman lefty Chris Hernandez turned in another solid pitching performance through 7 1/3 innings for his third win and junior closer Carlos Gutierrez picked up his fourth save as No. 5 Miami clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference series over NC State with a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon at Doak Field. The Hurricanes (13-1, 5-0 ACC) won their eighth straight game and at 13-1 are off to their best start under UM head coach Jim Morris since 1995. Miami went 12-2 in their first 14 games that season.
Hernandez (3-0) held the Wolfpack (9-5, 2-3 ACC) to one run on seven hits and struck out five. Gutierrez came on in the eighth with one out and recorded the final five outs. He allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings.
Blake Tekotte, Yonder Alonso, Adan Severino, Mark Sobolewski and Yasmani Grandal each had one hit for the Hurricanes. Alonso and Sobolewski each drove in a run. Alonso’s proved to be the game-winner.
Devon Cartwright had a game-high three hits for NC State. Marcus Jones and Matt Payne each finished with two hits. NC State’s Clayton Shunick (2-1) was impressive in the start, but ended up losing his first decision. He held the Hurricanes to two runs on five hits and struck out five.
Miami matched a season-low with just five hits in the game as NC State out-hit the Hurricanes, 8-5, but Miami played good defense turning three double plays to get themselves out of a some jams.
NC State was looking to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth after Cartwright led off with a double down the left field line. Hernandez got Dallas Poulk to fly out. Gutierrez relieved him with one out. After a wild pitch and infield single put runners on the corners, Gutierrez was able to get Jeremy Synan to ground into a double play ending the threat.
The Wolfpack managed to get the tying run on base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Gutierrez again recorded the final two outs ending the game.
Miami took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Alonso dropped in a two-out RBI single in left field that scored Grandal, who ripped a double to right field leading off the inning.
Sobolewski’s sacrifice fly to right scored Hagerty, who was hit by pitch, stole second and moved up to third on a groundout putting the Hurricanes ahead, 1-0.
NC State tied things up, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth on Matt Payne’s RBI single.
The Hurricanes squandered a few chances in the first two innings. Tekotte led off the game with double, Shunick retired three straight to get out of the inning. Miami loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second on back-to-back singles and a walk. Shunick then pitched out of another jam.
Miami wraps up its Atlantic Coast Conference series with NC State Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Doak Field.
Game Notes
§ Miami won its eighth straight game. The last time UM had an eight-game winning streak was during the 2006 season, when the Hurricanes rattled off 16 straight from Feb. 25-Mar. 24.
§ Freshman lefty Chris Hernandez is now 3-0 with a 1.03 ERA with 24 Ks in 26.1 innings. Opponents are hitting just .174 against him.
§ Junior closer Carlos Gutierrez registered his fourth save. He has nine strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings and is 4-for-4 in save opportunities. Opponents are hitting just .133 against him.
