No. 2 Miami Scores Early as Canes Beat FIU, 13-2
April 2, 2008
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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>MIAMI, Fla. – Sophomore right-hander David Gutierrez no-hit Florida International for the first three innings and No. 2 Miami erupted for 11 runs during those innings as the Hurricanes cruised past the Golden Panthers, 13-2, at University Park Wednesday night. Miami improved to 23-2 matching the best start ever by a Jim Morris coached team at UM.
Gutierrez (1-0) tossed a career-long six innings and allowed one run on three hits. Michael Rudman, Kyle Bellamy and Carlos Gutierrez each tossed an inning in relief. Jemile Weeks, Blake Tekotte, Yonder Alonso, Dennis Raben, Joey Terdoslavich and Yasmani Grandal each had a pair of hits for the Hurricanes, who posted a season-high 17 hits in the win. Weeks also had three-RBI while Terdoslavich scored three runs.
FIU starter Corey Polizzano (3-4) took the loss as he allowed six earned runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three. Reliever James Lajiness pitched 4 1/3 innings, struck out five and gave up one earned run on three hits. Ryan Mollica went 2-for-3 for the Golden Panthers (11-20).
Dave DiNatale’s two-run home run started a two-out rally which led to six runs in the second inning for the Hurricanes. His home run gave the Canes a 2-0 lead. After a Grandal single and a Tekotte double, Weeks two-run single to center field made it, 4-0. Alonso followed with his second career triple to put UM ahead, 5-0. Raben drove in Alonso for a 6-0 Miami lead.
The Hurricanes used another two-out rally in the top of the third to score five runs. Tekotte ripped a two-run double to left center giving the Hurricanes an 8-0 lead. Weeks singled in Tekotte for a nine-run Miami lead. After Alonso, Weeks stole third and scored on a throwing error as the Canes built a 10-0 lead. Sobolewski then dropped in another RBI base-hit to make it, 11-0.
Terdoslavich led off the top of the fourth with his fourth home run of the season giving Miami a 12-0 lead. The Golden Panthers finally got on the board on Tyler Townsend’s groundout which scored Ryan Mollica, who led off the fourth with a double breaking up the no-hitter getting FIU to, 12-1.
Mollica brought in FIU’s second run in the bottom of the seventh as he singled through the right side, allowing Steven Stropp to score for a 12-2 lead.
Miami took a 13-2 lead in the top of the eighth when Jason Hagerty had a pinch-hit RBI single that scored Iden Nazario, who doubled for his first career hit at Miami.
Miami returns home for an Atlantic Coast Conference series against Clemson this weekend. Game times are 7 p.m., 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Game Notes:
– Junior left fielder Dave DiNatale homered for the second straight game. For the second straight night, his two-run home run put the Hurricanes ahead for good.
– Miami has now won 10 straight games. The last time UM rattled off 10 straight wins was the 2006 season, when the Hurricanes won 16 in a row.
– Miami matched the best-start ever by a Hurricane team under head coach Jim Morris. The 1995 team went 23-2 before losing its third game of the season.
– Junior center fielder Blake Tekotte extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He doubled twice against FIU.
– The Hurricanes have posted at least 10 hits in 10 straight games and 17 of their last 18 games. The 17 hits against FIU was a season-high for Miami.
– UM improved to 9-0 in midweek games with the 13-2 win over the Golden Panthers.
– Freshman designated hitter Iden Nazario recorded his first career hit when doubled to right field in the top of the eighth with one out.
