No. 12 Miami Opens Alex Rodriguez Park Against Rutgers
Feb. 19, 2009
CORAL GABLES, FLA.–The University of Miami baseball team opens its 2009 season in newly renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field this weekend as the 12th-ranked (NCBWA) Hurricanes host Rutgers in a four-game series.
Miami is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, having finished 53-11 (23-5 ACC) en route to its 11th College World Series appearance under head coach Jim Morris. Rutgers enters the season after compiling a record of 23-29-1 (11-16 BIG EAST) in 2008.
This weekend marks the season-opening series for both squads, as the teams are set to square off four times with a 7 p.m. game on Friday, a doubleheader (two seven-inning contests) starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Hurricanes enter the season with a number of new faces after losing eight players to the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft – including three first round selections in first baseman Yonder Alonso, second baseman Jemile Weeks and right-handed closer Carlos Gutierrez.
Despite so many losses to the pro ranks, the `Canes still boast three preseason All-Americans in junior shortstop Ryan Jackson, sophomore starter Chris Hernandez and junior closer Kyle Bellamy. In addition to that trio, UM welcomes back a handful of other noticable names in sophomore catcher Yasmani Grandal, junior catcher/first baseman Jason Hagerty, senior outfielder Dave DiNatale and junior starter David Gutierrez.
This year’s group of necomers is comprised of 11 true freshmen and three junior college transfers. Out of that group, a number of players are expected to contribute right away. All three of the JUCO guys – Chris Herrmann, Scott Lawson and Taylor Wulf – hail from the state of Texas and all will be called upon to step right in from day one. Some of the key freshman that should receive early playing time include outfielder Nathan Melendres, infielder Harold Martinez and starter Kevin Youst.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
GAME 1: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 7 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – LHP Chris Hernandez (11-0, 2.72 ERA) vs. RUTGERS – RHP Casey Gaynor (2-5, 4.24 ERA)
RADIO: 560 WQAM, 90.5 WVUM
GAME 2: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 4 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – RHP David Gutierrez (5-0, 4.75 ERA) vs. RUTGERS – LHP Dennis Hill (N/A)
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM
GAME 3: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, TBD
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – TBA vs. RUTGERS – RHP Charlie Law (N/A)
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM
GAME 4: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1 P.M.
PROBABLE STARTERS
UM – TBA vs. RUTGERS – RHP Kyle Bradley (1-4, 4.88 ERA)
RADIO: 560 WQAM, 90.5 WVUM, 1450 ESPNDEPORTES
RUTGERS REPORT
The Scarlet Knights return their top three hitters and the majority of their pitching staff for the 2009 season. Senior outfielder Luis Feliz and sophomore first baseman Jaren Matthews serve as Rutgers’ two main offensive threats, with Feliz holding a team-best .328 average in 2008 and Matthews collecting team-highs in nearly every offensive category, including home runs (10), RBI (54) and hits (63). Feliz, who led all regulars in slugging percentage last season (.506), also returns as the team’s top stolen base threat after collecting 10 a season ago. On the mound, Rutgers returns 83 percent of its starting pitching from last year, including its most-used arm in senior right-hander Matt Giannini. Giannini logged a team-high 79.1 innings in 13 starts last year, going 3-5 with a 5.79 ERA. Five other players started at least three games last season, with junior right-hander Casey Gaynor (2-5, 4.24 ERA, nine starts) and senior right-hander Tony Wargo (2-4, 5.96 ERA, eight starts) as most used of the group last season.
MIAMI VS. RUTGERS
Miami holds a 38-10 advantage over Rutgers in the all-time series between the two schools, with all 48 games being played in Coral Gables. Heading into this weekend’s series, the Hurricanes have won five straight over the Scarlet Knights with the last meeting coming in 2007 when UM won, 4-1. The two teams first met in 1967 and met all but two seasons (1997, 1999) from 1984 to 2005.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS HERNANDEZ, JACKSON AND BELLAMY
Sophomore left-hander Chris Hernandez, junior shortstop Ryan Jackson and junior right-hander Kyle Bellamy have all garnered numerous preseason accolades this offseason. All three players were named to the NCBWA Preseason All-American Team, as both Hernandez and Jackson were tabbed to the first team while Bellamy made the second. Hernandez was also tabbed a Louisville Slugger first-teamer while Jackson was named to the second team. This past week, Jackson was named to Baseball America’s Preseason All-America second team while Bellamy and Hernandez were both named to the Rivals.com team.
FORMER `CANE AUBREY HUFF TO BE HONORED FRIDAY
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame will induct former baseball star Aubrey Huff as part of the class of 2009 at the Hurricanes’ baseball opener on Friday, February 20th at 7 p.m. at newly-renovated Alex Rodriguez Park. Huff was a 1998 All-American when he led the `Canes to the College World Series with 21 home runs and a school-record 95 RBI. He currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles. 2008 Inductee and current World Series Champion Pat Burrell of the Tampa Bay Rays will join head coach Jim Morris and HOF President Jodi Applebaum-Steinbauer in presenting Huff with his Hall of Fame ring and jacket. The 2009 UM Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held April 23rd at Jungle Island. Visit UMSportsHallofFame.com for more information.
MORRIS ONE WIN AWAY FROM 1,200 VICTORIES
Heading into the 2009 season, head coach Jim Morris needs just one more victory to reach the 1,200-win mark as a Division I coach. Currently fifth among active Division I coaches in career wins, Morris is looking to become just the 18th coach in the history of Division I collegiate baseball to earn 1,200 career victories. In addition to sitting just one win away from the 1,200-win mark as a Division I coach, Morris also needs just five more victories to reach the 700-win plateau at the University of Miami.
TICKET INFORMATION
For ticket information for the 2009 season, call 1-800-GO-CANES, visit www.hurricanesports.com or email canestix@miami.edu.
