Three-Run 8th Inning Rallies No. 2 UM Past Wildcats, 7-6
March 26, 2008
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CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – Freshman catcher Yasmani Grandal drove in the game-winning run after junior Dave DiNatale hit a two-run game-tying single in the bottom of the eighth as No. 2 Miami rallied to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 7-6, Wednesday night at Mark Light Field. Junior right-hander Carlos Gutierrez tossed the final inning to record his fifth save for the Hurricanes, who improved to 19-2 on the season.
Sophomore right-hander Kyle Bellamy won for the second time after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. He relieved Alex Koronis, who kept the game close for the Hurricanes. Koronis struck out five in three scoreless innings and allowed just one run on one hit. Sophomore right-hander David Gutierrez made his first career start and gave up three earned runs on five hits in three innings. He struck out three.
Blake Tekotte and Grandal each collected two hits for the Hurricanes. Right fielder Neal Jones led the Wildcats going 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBI and a home run. Hiram Burgos (2-1) suffered his first loss for Bethune-Cookman as he allowed one run on two hits. Bethune-Cookman starter Felix Machado pitched well. Machado tossed 5 1/3 innings giving up four earned runs on seven hit and striking out five.
Miami trailed 6-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Dennis Raben walked to lead off the eighth and moved to second when Joey Terdoslavich hit a one-out single. After Joseph Gautier struck out Yonder Alonso for the second out, UM pulled off a double-steal. DiNatale pinch-hit and knocked the second pitch he saw into center field allowing Raben and pinch-runner Jonathan Weislow to score and tie it, 6-6. DiNatale moved up to second on the throw to the plate. Grandal then laced a single through the right side allowing DiNatale to score putting the Hurricanes ahead, 7-6.
The Wildcats managed to the get the tying-run on base in the top of the ninth, but after back-to-back strikeouts by Carlos Gutierrez, Grandal threw out the baserunner trying to steal second to end the game.
Jason Hagerty’s RBI groundout drew the Hurricanes within, 6-4, in the bottom of the sixth. The Wildcats took a 6-3 lead in the top of the sixth on Jones solo home run that led off the inning.
Bethune-Cookman used a three-run fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead.
Jemile Weeks’ RBI triple and Raben’s groundout in the third inning gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead.
Jose Ortiz’s groundout in the first gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Miami tied the game, 1-1, on Raben’s RBI single into center field in the bottom of the first. Emmanuel Castro put the Wildcats ahead, 2-1, in the top of the second on his base-hit down the left field line that scored Jones.
Miami returns to Atlantic Coast Conference action this weekend when the Hurricanes travel to Duke for a three-game series. Game times are 7 p.m., 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Game Notes
-Junior second baseman Jemile Weeks tied the school record for career triples with his 17th career triple and third triple of 2008 in the third inning. Weeks tied Calvin James, who played for UM from 1981-82 and 1984-85.
– Miami improved to 17-1 at Mark Light Field this season.
– Sophomore right-hander Kyle Bellamy picked up his second career win. Bellamy now has 22 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings and has given up just four hits while opponents are hitting 0.85 against him.
– Miami improved to 7-0 in the midweek after sweeping the mid-week series from Bethune-Cookman. As a team, the Hurricanes hit .338 in the two games.
