Miami Baseball Alumni Game Provides Excitement for Fans
Feb. 12, 2011
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Coral Gables, Fla. – The 2011 University of Miami Hurricanes scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to run past the Alumni Team, 8-4, in the annual UM Alumni Baseball Game on Saturday night inside Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Fla.
With the score tied at four in the bottom of the eighth frame, sophomore shortstop Stephen Perez began what would be a four-run inning with a walk a steal to get into scoring position right off the bat. Catcher David Villasuso plated Perez two batters later with a single to left, giving the 2011 `Canes their first lead of the game.
A walk and a wild pitch allowed Villasuso to score, while Shane Rowland drew a walk and later scored alongside teammate Dale Carey courtesy an error charged to the Alumni Team, followed by another wild pitch. Those runs gave the 2011 `Canes the final 8-4 advantage.
Sophomore pitcher Zach Robinson came on in the ninth to close things down for the 2011 Hurricanes squad, striking out all three batters faced in the frame.
The 2011 UMiami squad scored seven unanswered runs stretching from the bottom of the sixth inning, trailing at one time, 4-1.
Leadoff hitter Zeke DeVoss and Perez both scored in the sixth to begin the rally, using a Shane Rowland single to score both after DeVoss swiped second and Perez was hit by a pitch and advanced on a wild pitch – moving DeVoss to third on the play.
In the seventh, the 2011 Hurricanes matched the Alumni, 4-4, when freshman Brad Fieger led off the frame with a double, and later scored on a wild pitch.
Sophomore pitcher Eric Whaley earned the start on the hill for the Hurricanes, going three complete frames allowing no runs, no hits and striking out one batter. UM assistant head coach J.D. Arteaga began the game for the Alumni Team, going two innings on the mound while allowing no runs on two hits and one strikeout.
The Alumni Team opened the game’s scoring in the fourth inning with two stolen bases on a whacky play, allowing Danny Figueroa to give the Alumni a 1-0 lead. They stretched the lead at 4-1 in the top-half of the sixth inning as Yonder Alonso and Danny Figueroa scored on another unorthodox play that began with an error charged to the 2011 Hurricanes infield.
The 2011 Hurricanes were led at the plate by junior centerfielder Nathan Melendres going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Behind him was sophomore left fielder Zeke DeVoss going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Relief pitchers Adam Sargent, AJ Salcines and Zach Robinson each finished the game with an inning a piece on the rubber, spreading out a walk and four strikeouts between them.
The Alumni Team used the bat of Danny Figueroa with a 2-for-4 effort at the dish and two runs scored, as well as the play of Gaby Sanchez of the Florida Marlins with a hit and a walk. Paco Figueroa had a hit and a run scored for the Alumni.
The 2011 University of Miami Hurricanes officially begin the season ranked in the top 25 of all six preseason polls, including a No. 17 mark in the Perfect Game USA poll, and a No. 18 ranking in the USA Today/ESPN Poll.
Miami begins the 2011 season on Friday, Feb. 18, welcoming Rutgers to Alex Rodriguez Park at 7 p.m. The three-game series will be streamed live via the internet at HurricaneSports.com.
For ticket information for the 2011 baseball season, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit Hurricanesports.com.
For more information on the University of Miami baseball team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. To follow the UM Baseball Team via twitter, please navigate to Twitter.com/CanesBaseball. You can also access the official UMiami Baseball blog at TheUBaseball.com.
You can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports. You can also become a fan of the ‘Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.
