Early Hitting, Solid Pitching Pushes Miami Past Wolfpack

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Hurricanes (19-11, 9-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) outlasted the NC State Wolfpack (18-13, 5-8 ACC) by a count of 4-1 on Friday night in the first game of a three-game set inside Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Fla.

The Hurricanes were powered by a huge first inning that included three runs on five hits, and a dominating performance on the mound by freshman left-handed pitcher Bryan Radziewski.

The first run of the game – eventually being the game-winning RBI – was driven in by left fielder Chantz Mack who laced a double to straight away center field, scoring second baseman Zeke DeVoss from second. After a bunt single and stolen base by center fielder Nathan Melendres, first baseman Rony Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly that plated Mack, and advanced Melendres to third. Freshman third baseman Brad Fieger gave the `Canes their third run of the inning with a RBI single to right.

The first inning offensive explosion was more than enough run support for Radziewski and the ‘Canes bullpen, who limited the Wolfpack to just one unearned run and five hits on the night.

Radziewski went 5 2/3 innings, while being tagged with an unearned run and striking out eight batters and spreading out three hits in his time on the bump. The eight strikeouts marked the Miami native’s third game of the campaign with eight or more K’s.

NC State’s lone run of the game came off a single from second baseman Matt Bergquist advancing left fielder Cameron Conner to third. Conner then scored on the same play via throwing error by Nathan Melendres on a relay attempt to the infield.

UMiami relief pitcher junior right-hander Travis Miller replaced Radziewski on the mound with two outs in the top of the sixth inning and tossed a flawless 2 1/3 innings – allowing no hits and striking out three. Miller has shown great consistency through four appearances this season, and has maintained a perfect 0.00 ERA with a 1-0 mark in relief action.

Melendres helped the Hurricanes add an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth by driving in DeVoss who reached base safely two batters prior with a lead-off walk.

The RBI sac fly by Melendres was his 10th of the year.

Junior lefty Daniel Miranda came in to close the game in the top of the ninth for the Hurricanes, and was able to earn his team-leading eighth save of the season. Miranda finished the evening facing five batters, giving up two hits and striking out two in one inning work to close the contest.

Miami is now on a five-game winning streak, and hand the ball to sophomore Eric Whaley (5-1, 2.79 ERA) on the mound Saturday. NC State will counter with fellow right-hander Rob Chamra (4-0. 3.75 ERA) in the start for the Pack, who had a three-game winning streak snapped tonight.

Miami was led on the night offensively by Brad Fieger who went 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI, and Zeke Devoss scored twice – including swiping his league-leading 18th stolen base of the game.

The Wolfpack were led by Andrew Ciencin who was also 2-of-4 at the dish. The Pack’s Cory Mazzoni took the loss, but struck-out 11 Hurricanes in 7 2/3 innings pitched.

In the win for Miami, Radziewski moved to 4-1 in league play, with a lone loss coming to Georgia Tech two weeks ago.

The Hurricanes will play NC State again tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The University of Miami Department of Athletics and baseball program will pay tribute to the 2001 NCAA Baseball College World Series title team on Saturday, April 9, prior to the Hurricanes’ Atlantic Coast Conference game with NC State.

The ‘Canes will enjoy a private reception at the stadium before their public recognition on the field that fans will not want to miss at 6:40 p.m.

The on-field recognition for the 2001 CWS title team will be followed by a short moment of silence for Luke DeBold, who was a member of the team and passed away last spring.

Players and staff members set to attend at this point include Chris Bell, Kevin Brown, Kris Clute, J.D. Cockroft, Andrew Cohn, Mike DiRosa, Tom Farmer, Greg Lovelady, Danny Matienzo, Marcus Nettles, Alex Prendes, Chris Sheffield, Mike Rodriguez, Vince Vazquez, Ethan Silverman, Lazer Collazo, David Diggs and Gino DiMare and trainer Kevin Blaske.

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.

Fans 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 win, the Hurricanes are now…

• 19-11 overall
• 9-3 ACC
• 13-6 at Alex Rodriguez Park
• 25-11 all-time versus NC State
• 11-6 against right-handed starting pitchers
• 13-2 when scoring first
• 4-0 in April

Tonight’s Opponent
The Wolfpack trekked down to Miami winners of eight of their last 10 games. The Hurricanes took two out of three in Raleigh last season, with Miami sweeping the series at Alex Rodriguez Park in 2009.

Tonight’s Starters
Coach Jim Morris went with a familiar lineup on Friday night with the usual cast. Designated hitter Chris Pelaez continued to make strides off an injury, making his third straight start.

Out of the Gates
Miami continued its hot hitting from Wednesday night against Florida Gulf Coast with five hits in the first inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead, including knocks from the first three batters. Zeke DeVoss led off with a single, followed by an RBI double from Chantz Mack. Nathan Melendres then bunt singled, setting up a first and third situation. Two batters later, Rony Rodriguez knocked in Mack with a sacrifice fly for the second run. With two outs, Brad Fieger punched in Melendres for the third run with a single. Chris Pelaez also singled to cap off the inning and give Miami a 3-0 early lead that it would not concede.

Picking it up
The ‘Canes only registered one hit after the first inning, with the pitching carrying the team the rest of the way. Starter Bryan Radziewski recorded eight strikeouts on the night over his 5 2/3 innings pitched. The freshman improved to 5-2 on the year.

Travis Miller came in and overpowered the Wolfpack hitters in his 2 1/3 innings of relief work. Daniel Miranda closed it out with an inning of work to earn his eighth save of the season.

Quality At-Bats
Nathan Melendres and Rony Rodriguez each had key sacrifice flies to account for half of the runs on the night. Chantz Mack also put down his third sacrifice bunt of the season.

There he goes…
Zeke DeVoss swiped 18th stolen base of the season when he took third base in the bottom of the eighth. He leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in that category.

Quick Adjustment
Freshman Brad Fieger led the ‘Canes with two hits in four trips to the plate. In his last 10 games, Fieger is 14-36 (.389).

The “U” Family
Head track and field coach Amy Deem threw out the first pitch on Friday night. Deem will be the head coach of the United States Olympic Track and Field team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.