Lawson's Double Wins it in the Ninth For No. 6 Miami
March 13, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – With the scored tied at four with two on and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Scott Lawson hit a double to deep right-center, scoring Jonathan Weislow from second to give the sixth-ranked University of Miami baseball team a 5-4 win over Duke in front of 2,608 fans Friday night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
With one out in the ninth, back-to-back singles by Weislow and Ryan Jackson put runners on first and second before Lawson sent the first pitch he saw off the wall in right-center, easily bringing Weislow around for the game-winner.
Miami improved to 13-2 overall and 4-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with its 11th win in its last 12 games. With the loss, Duke falls to 9-5 and 2-2 in league action.
Miami’s bullpen had yet another strong performance as Taylor Wulf and Kyle Bellamy tossed a combined three scoreless after starter Chris Hernandez exited after six. Wulf tossed two scoreless and struck out a career-high four before giving way to Kyle Bellamy, who tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his second win of the year.
Lawson finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Chris Herrmann went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Ryan Jackson also had a pair of hits, hitting lead-off for the first time in his career.
For the third straight game, UM’s opponent scored in the top of the first, as the Blue Devils took the early 2-0 advantage.
The `Canes countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first but Duke jumped out to a 4-1 lead with two more in the third.
Miami tied the game up with three in the fifth. The first two runs of the frame came across when Herrmann doubled to right, scoring Lawson and Jason Hagerty to bring UM within on. The next batter – Harold Martinez – made it 4-4 with a single to left, scoring Herrmann from second.
Duke starter Christopher Manno allowed four runs on four hits while walking four and striking out four in 4 2/3 innings. Dennis O’Grady allowed no runs on just two hits in 3 1/3 innings in relief of Manno. Alex Hassan (1-1), who started in right and had two hits and two runs scored, suffered the loss, allowing the three ninth-inning hits.
Making his fourth start of the season, UM’s Hernandez allowed two earned runs on six hits while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work.
The teams will play the second game of the series Saturday night at 7 p.m. Right-hander David Gutierrez (2-0, 0.50 ERA) will start for Miami while Duke will counter with right-hander Andrew Wolcott (2-0, 1.71 ERA).
Game Notes
– Taylor Wulf tied a career-high with two innings pitched while setting a new career-high with four strikeouts.
– All three former Hurricanes playing in the World Baseball Classic – Ryan Braun, Alex Cora and Carlos Gutierrez – were on hand Friday night. Braun threw out the first pitch prior to the start of the series.
– Ryan Jackson (131 career games) led off for first time in his career.
– Miami’s win Friday night marked a program record ninth straight win vs. ACC opponent, dating back to May 21, 2008 against Clemson in the ACC Tournament.
– Miami’s win was its 11th in its last 12 games.
– Miami improved to 4-0 on Friday nights.
