Tekotte, No. 1 UM Knock Off No. 10 Georgia Tech, 15-5
April 12, 2008
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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>ATLANTA, Ga. – Junior centerfielder Blake Tekotte homered twice and recorded 12 total bases while going a career-best 4-for-4 with four runs scored and seven RBI as No. 1 Miami clinched the series at No. 10 Georgia Tech, 15-5, Saturday night in game two of the doubleheader at Russ Chandler Stadium. Senior right-hander Enrique Garcia picked up his second win for the Hurricanes (29-3, 14-1 ACC), who scored 25 runs in two games on Saturday.
Tekotte fell a double-shy of hitting for the cycle. Jemile Weeks, Mark Sobolewski and Jason Hagerty each had two hits in the contest. Sobolewski homered for the third time this season. Garcia (2-0) pitched seven solid innings as he allowed three runs on eight hits. Rene Guerra and Carlos Gutierrez each threw one inning.
Miami chased Georgia Tech starter Eddie Burns after two innings in which he surrendered eight runs, six earned, on five hits, walked two and hit another three batters. Brandon Cumpton threw six innings in relief holding the Hurricanes to three earned runs on eight hits. Right fielder Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs for the Yellow Jackets.
After the Yellow Jackets came within 5-1, the Hurricanes used a four-run third inning to go ahead, 9-1. Sobolewski led off the third with a solo home run down the left field line putting the Canes ahead, 6-1. A fielding error allowed Ryan Jackson to score to make it, 7-1. After a Jason Hagerty sacrifice fly made it 8-1, Weeks doubled in a run giving Miami an eight-run lead.
Jason Haniger’s bases-loaded walk drew the Yellow Jackets within, 9-2, in the fourth. Tekotte then drove in all six of Miami’s final runs. He tripled in Hagerty in the fifth putting Miami ahead, 10-2.
Tekotte’s two-run homer – his fifth of the season- extended the Hurricane lead to 12-2 in the top of the seventh.
Tekotte’s second home run – a three-run shot to right field- put Miami ahead, 15-3, in the top of the ninth. Blackmon’s two-run home run for the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the ninth made for the final, 15-5.
The Hurricanes scored three runs in the top of the first on only one hit. Tekotte was hit by a pitch, stole second and moved to third on Weeks’ sacrifice bunt. After Yonder Alonso was also hit by a pitch, Dennis Raben’s sacrifice fly allowed Tekotte to score for the game’s first run. Jackson then doubled in Alonso and Sobolewski giving the Canes a 3-0 advantage.
Tekotte’s sacrifice fly and Weeks’ RBI single in the top of the second put Miami ahead, 5-0. The Yellow Jackets cut into the Hurricane lead in the bottom of the second. Tony Plagman walked and moved to third on Chris House’s single. Patrick Long’s sacrifice fly scored Plagman to make it, 5-1.
Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. Sophomore RHP David Gutierrez (1-0, 2.95 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Hurricanes.
Doubleheader Notes
– Junior first baseman Yonder Alonso homered for the seventh time this season in the first inning of game one.
– Freshman lefty Chris Hernandez picked up his fifth win of the season matching Eric Erickson and Kyle Bellamy for the team-lead.
– Sophomore catcher Jason Hagerty hit his seventh home run of the season in game one of the series.
– Junior center fielder Blake Tekotte finished with 12 total bases in game two becoming the first Hurricane since Jim Burt Jr. did it on Feb. 16, 2002 against Minnesota.
– Junior centerfielder Blake Tekotte set new career-highs in hits and RBI as he finished 4-for-4 with seven RBI in the second game of the doubleheader. It was the first time that a Hurricane had seven RBI in a game since Danny Valencia accomplished the feat on June 12, 2006 against Ole Miss in the Super Regional. In two games on the day, Tekotte hit .700 (7-for-10) with three home runs, a triple and eight RBI. He now has six home runs on the season.
– Sophomore shortstop Ryan Jackson hit his team-leading 12th double in the second game against Georgia Tech.
– Miami has now scored at least 10 runs in eight of its 15 ACC games this season.
