Georgia Tech Snaps `Canes Winning Streak in Series-Opener

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 29th-ranked University of Miami baseball team had its chances, but was unable to overcome six errors, falling to No. 12 Georgia Tech, 8-3, on Friday night at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The loss ended the Hurricanes’ (14-9, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) nine-game winning streak, and handed them their first conference loss of the year.  Coming into the game, the ‘Canes and Yellow Jackets were the only two remaining undefeated teams in ACC league play. 

Miami scored early, keeping pace with the high-powered offense of Georgia Tech (19-4, 7-0 ACC), but were doomed by a season-high in errors.

The visitors from Atlanta struck first, notching a run in both the second and the third innings, respectively, to take a 2-0 lead.  In the bottom of the third, the ‘Canes came back with Chantz Mack scoring on a double by Nathan Melendres.  The run broke a 36 2/3 inning scoreless streak for Georgia Tech starter Mark Pope – entering the game with a 0.23 ERA.

UMiami junior infielder Harold Martinez then extended his hit streak to nine games with a single to short that drove in Melendres, and tied the game a two-all.

Georgia Tech retook the lead with a run in the fourth, and added two more in the fifth for an insurmountable 5-2 advantage.  Miami closed the gap in the bottom of the fifth as Dale Carey scored from third on a throwing error.

The Yellow Jackets then added three more runs in the top of the eighth, breaking a 22-inning scoreless streak for the UM bullpen, for the final margin.

Miami starter freshman Bryan Radziewski (3-2, 2.23 ERA) took the loss, going 4 2/3 innings and giving up two earned runs. Pope (4-0, 0.59 ERA) got the win for Georgia Tech, despite giving up a season-high two earned runs in seven innings tossed.

The second game of the series will be Saturday at 1 p.m., back at Alex Rodriguez Park.  Miami will throw right-hander EJ Encinosa, while Georgia Tech will counter with southpaw Jed Bradley.  The game will be televised on Fox Sports as the ACC “Game of the Week”.

For ticket information for the 2011 baseball season, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit Hurricanesports.com.

Live stats for the game will be provided through Game Tracker at HurricaneSports.com. Fans can also join the live chat, provided by Cover It Live, by visiting HurricaneSports.com as well.

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.

University of Miami Postgame Notes:

With the loss, the Hurricanes are now…

• 14 – 9 overall
• 6 – 1 in ACC play
• 47 – 27 – 2 all-time versus Georgia Tech
• 11 – 4 at Alex Rodriguez Park this season
• 8 – 5 in games when the opponent starts a right-handed pitcher
• 5 – 8 when the opponent scores first
• 5 – 2 when wearing green script “M” hats

Tonight’s Starters
Harold Martinez made his first career start at shortstop as a result of starter Stephen Perez’s injured quadriceps and back-up Joey Porro’s season-ending broken ankle. For the first time this season, Chantz Mack hit in the two-slot. UM’s outfield traded places in the top of the seventh inning as Zeke DeVoss moved from left to center; Mack moved from right to left; and Dale Carey moved from center to right.

The Leader’s Luck
Despite the loss, the ‘Canes have won 10 out of the last 12 games since head coach Jim Morris’ return from gall bladder surgery and an infection stemming from the surgery on March 8.

First-timer
Senior Chris Pelaez staked his first hit of the season on a single to the right side as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

Let’s Go Streaking
Both clubs came into tonight’s contest on winning streaks – Miami having won its last nine, and Georgia Tech winning its last 13. After tonight’s victory, GT remains the only program unbeaten in 2011 ACC play. With the win, GT continues its longest winning streak since the 2006 campaign.

Faces in the Crowd
Chicago Bears Tight End, and former ‘Cane, Greg Olsen was in attendance.

Series History
Tonight’s match up was the 76th all-time meeting between the two schools in a series that dates back to 1958.

Hall of Famer
Former UM shortstop and recent University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Hill threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

Memory Lane
Miami head coach Jim Morris is familiar with the Yellow Jackets, having coached Georgia Tech from 1982-93 winning 504 games.

Successful Switch
Since moving from third base on March 11 versus Virginia Tech, Harold Martinez has resurged as a hitter going on a nine-game hitting streak. Before March 11, he was batting just .167. Since the switch, he is hitting .441.

Errant & Erratic
Tonight’s game marks the sixth time this season in which the ‘Canes have committed at least four errors. It also marks the second game in a row with at least four errant plays. Tonight’s six errors are the most by a UM team since the ‘Canes committed seven at Florida in the 2010 Gainesville Super Regional.

Bullpen
Sam Abrams, in 6 2/3 innings, has yet to give up a run this season. Meanwhile, the bullpen’s streak of 22 consecutive innings without an earned run came to an end when freshman Javi Salas gave up three runs in the eighth.