Miami Stays Perfect In ACC Play with Win at Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Harold Martinez’s run-scoring single through the right side in the ninth inning completed a come-from-behind effort for the University of Miami, keeping the Hurricanes undefeated in Atlantic Coast Conference play with a 4-3 series-clinching victory at Wake Forest on Saturday night inside Wake Forest Baseball Park. The win was Miami’s sixth consecutive, and the ‘Canes seventh win in the last eight games.

Trailing 3-2 after eight innings of play, Miami (11-8, 5-0 ACC) used a leadoff walk by Zeke DeVoss from Wake Forest (7-11, 2-3 ACC) reliever John McLeod – who entered in the eighth for fellow reliever Michael Dimock. Following the walk, DeVoss swiped second and junior outfielder Nathan Melendres drove him in to knot the game at 3-all with a standup double down the right field line.

Melendres would come across as the game-winning run a play later with Harold Martinez’s second hit of the evening. Melendres extended his hitting streak to a team-leading six games, while Martinez extended his to five.

UMiami junior closer Daniel Miranda pitched the ninth inning to earn his team-high fourth save of the year, but not before making things interesting for both sides.

Wake Forest’s Brett Armour reached first to leadoff the Demon Deacons’ at-bat, reaching on the fourth Hurricanes error of the contest. Shortstop Pat Blair singled and Steven Brooks hit for the second time in the game to load the bases for the homestanding Deacs with just one out.

With pinch hitter Eric Stevens standing on third representing the game-winning run for the Deacons, Miami’s Miranda earned a strikeout of pinch hitter Stephen Schoettmer – followed by the game-ending ground-out to short by Mac Williamson.

The win went to UM freshman reliever Adam Sargent – evening his record at 1-1 on the year – tossing an inning-and-a-third, posting three strikeouts and a walk. The loss went to Wake’s McLeod who fell to 1-1 on the year.

Clinging to a 1-0 lead in the fourth, Wake Forest added to that with James Harris’ RBI single through the right side that crossed Matt Conway – who got himself into scoring position a pitch earlier stealing second base.

The Deacs increased their lead at 3-0 the next half-inning, using Mac Williamson’s RBI single off Miami reliever AJ Salcines. The run was credited to UM starter E.J. Encinosa, as he was relieved by Salcines who finished the final 2/3 of the frame on the hill.

Encinosa failed to factor into tonight’s decision, going just 4 1/3 with three earned runs on six hits and striking out five.

Hurricanes shortstop Stephen Perez erased his 0-for-2 night with a clutch two-run scoring single through the right side in the seventh that pushed across Chantz Mack and Zeke DeVoss – allowing Miami to pull within 3-2. The single came off Wake Forest reliever Michael Dimock who came in for starter Tim Cooney after 6 2/3 tossed.

Cooney finished the day with a single run allowed (unearned) on three hits and seven strikeouts in the no-decision for the right-hander.

The Demon Deacons opened the game’s scoring with a wild pitch from Encinosa, allowing Matt Conway to come in after he stole second on a strikeout – then advancing to third on a ground-out for the second out of the inning.

Wake Forest was led offensively by three players with two hits apiece, including first baseman Matt Conway with two hits in four trips and scoring twice. Brooks added two hits, and teammate Blair scored once with a 2-for-3 night and a walk.

Miami used Melendres’ 3-for-4 performance – the second consecutive night a Hurricane secured a three-hit game, after Michael Broad accomplished the same line last night. Martinez finished the game 2-for-4 with a RBI, and DeVoss scored twice with two walks issued. DeVoss also picked up his ninth stolen base of the year.

Sunday’s series finale will begin at 1 p.m., back at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Miami is going to throw sophomore righty Eric Whaley (3-1, 2.16 ERA) in that game, while the Wake Forest starter has yet to be determined. UM will be looking for its second ACC series sweep of the year in tomorrow’s game.

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