No. 7 Miami Drops Series Opener to No. 23 FSU, 14-4
April 3, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The seventh-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes dropped game one of a three-game series to in-state rival No. 23 Florida State, 14-4, Friday night in front of 3,500 at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
Miami (21-8, 8-5 ACC) fell behind early and was never able to recover, giving up seven runs in the first three innings as FSU (18-8, 7-4 ACC) eventually pulled away for the 10-run win. On the night, the Seminoles slugged seven home runs – including three in the first inning – and recorded 16 hits, the most UM as given up this season.
FSU was led by the league’s top hitter – Tyler Holt – who went 4-for-6 with two home runs and four RBI. Mike McGee and Stephen Cardullo also had big nights at the plate for the Seminoles, as McGee went 3-for-5 with five RBI and Cardullo 3-for-4 with three runs scored.
UM starter David Gutierrez (2-3) came into the game as the ACC’s leader in ERA at 1.51 but was chased early after giving up four runs in just 2/3 innings. Daniel Miranda came on in the first in relief of Gutierrez and proceeded to allow four runs in four innings. From there, Rene Guerra allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings before John Housey allowed four over the final two.
Harold Martinez had the best day at the plate for the `Canes going 3-for-4 with a homer, a pair of doubles and an RBI. Dave DiNatale also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI.
FSU starting pitcher Sean Gilmartin (6-1) picked up the victory, allowing four runs on eight hits in 7 innings. Tyler Everett tossed scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth to secure the win for FSU.
Florida State jumped on the board with three home runs before an out was recorded. Holt opened the game with a lead-off home run before Stuart Tapley smacked a two-run homer two batters later. Already up 3-0, another solo home run by Jason Stidham put FSU up four. Gutierrez was able to strike out the next two batters but loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch before Miami turned to its bullpen. Miranda was able to get out of the jam, keeping the damage at 4-0.
UM’s first run came across in the bottom of the first. Jonathan Weislow walked to lead off the inning before scoring from third two batters later on a Scott Lawson sacrifice fly.
Florida State scored all the runs in needed in the second, adding two more on a McGee homer to go up 6-1.
Miami added its second run on Martinez’s solo blast to right-centerfield in the second.
The Seminoles then plated another run in the top of third and three more in the fifth to go up 10-2.
Nathan Melendres hit his first career home run — a solo shot to right – in the seventh but FSU scored three in the eighth and another in the ninth to pull away.
The Hurricanes and Seminoles will continue their three-game series at Alex Rodriguez Park Saturday night at 7 p.m. A pair of left-handers are slated to take the mound on Saturday as Miami’s Chris Hernandez (2-2) will face FSU’s Brian Busch (1-1).
Game Notes
– The Friday night start for David Gutierrez was the first of his career.
– Jonathan Weislow batted leadoff for the first time in his career. The first time came against Mount St. Mary’s (3/14) earlier this season on March.
– Nathan Melendres hit his first career home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
– Miami allowed a season-high 17 hits, the most given up since the 2008 College World Series when Florida State recorded 18 hits.
– Tyler Holt’s leadoff homerun was the first ever hit against the Hurricanes by an ACC opponent.
– In the first, Miami allowed three homeruns in an inning for the first time since June 1, 2003 against Florida.
-The last time Miami allowed seven home runs in a game was February 8, 1998 against Florida.
