No. 9 Miami Set for a Pair of Games Against FAU This Week
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The ninth-ranked University of Miami baseball team – winners of five straight and 10 of their last 12 – will take on FAU twice this week with games in Boca Raton on Tuesday and Coral Gables on Wednesday. Tuesday night’s game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at the FAU Baseball Stadium.
The Hurricanes improved to 20-7 overall and 10-2 in ACC play this past weekend with a series sweep over Wake Forest at Alex Rodriguez Park. The series win marked Miami’s fourth straight against an ACC opponent to open league play. The 10-2 conference start is the second-best since the `Canes joined the ACC, as the 2008 Hurricanes started 11-1 in their first 12 before going on to win the ACC Championship and advance to Omaha.
The games this week will mark the second and third meetings between Miami and FAU this year, after the `Canes beat the Owls, 12-5, last Wednesday in Coral Gables. Five hitters finished with multiple RBI in the game while freshman right-handed reliever E.J. Encinosa earned his first career win, striking out five while allowing just two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
In addition to all three weekend starters pitching well, Miami’s middle relief has played a key role in the team’s recent success, starting with Encinosa and sophomore lefty Daniel Miranda. Encinosa leads the staff and ranks fourth in the ACC with a 1.86 ERA while Miranda is second on the team with a 2.28 ERA.
UM’s hitters have also been on a tear as of late, averaging 9.5 runs per game last week. Yasmani Grandal ranks in the Top 5 in the ACC in both batting average (.388) and on-base percentage (.504) and has hit safely in 14 of UM’s last 17 games – including a 3-for-4 performance last week against FAU.
UM left-hander Jerad Grundy (0-0, 5.14 ERA) will make just his second collegiate start on Tuesday, while the Owls will counter with right Taylor Everist (2-5, 6.67 ERA), who suffered the loss last week against the `Canes.
MID-WEEK SCHEDULE
GAME 28: TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 6:30 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – LHP Jerad Grundy (0-0, 5.14 ERA) vs. FAU – RHP Taylor Everist (2-5, 6.67 ERA)
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM
GAME 29: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 6 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
FAU- RHP Kenny Gray (0-0, 5.79 ERA) vs. MIAMI – TBA
RADIO: 90.5 WVUM
FAU REPORT
After the opening the season strong, the Owls have struggled as of late, dropping four of their last seven – including two-of-three this past weekend at home against Middle Tennessee State. Dan Scheffler (.383) leads FAU in runs (30), homers (7), RBI (29) and doubles (11) while Colby Gratton and Mike Albaladejo are a combined 13-for-13 on the base paths. Relievers Andy Mee (1-0, 0.87 ERA, four saves) and Ryan Bernal (1-0, 1.42 ERA) have allowed just three earned runs in a combined 23 innings. Taylor Everist (2-5, 6.67 ERA) has started seven games while expected Wednesday starter Kenny Gray (0-0, 5.79 ERA) has appeared in just four games, all in relief.
MIAMI-FAU ALL-TIME SERIES
Miami owns a 45-8 advantage in its all-time series with FAU. The Hurricanes won all three meetings last year, the first this year, and have won nine of the last 11 meetings going back to the 2003 season. Last season in UM’s only trip to Boca Raton, the `Canes won 13-6.
AFTER FAU
Miami will hit the road for the third time in four weekends when the `Canes make their northernmost trip of the year to play Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., April 9-11. Game one of the three game series at English Field is slated for 5:30 p.m. Friday night.
MIAMI ENTERS TOP 10
After winning all four games last week – including the series sweep over Wake Forest – the Hurricanes moved into Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Top 10 on Monday, moving up to No. 9 in its poll. The Hurricanes were last ranked in the Top 10 by one of the major polls the week of April 13-19 last season.
`CANES VS. THE OWLS
Several `Canes have had decent success against FAU in recent years, including senior first baseman Scott Lawson, who is 6-for-14 with seven runs scored, five walks and three RBI in four career games against the Owls. Sophomores Harold Martinez (6-for-16, seven RBI) and Nathan Melendres (6-for-14, four runs, two RBI) have also had some success against FAU early in their careers. Jason Santana won all three games against FAU last season when he served as Miami’s top mid-week starter, but will not face the Owls this year. Daniel Miranda turned in two scoreless outings against the Owls as a freshman last year.
