No. 20 Hurricanes Power Past Bethune-Cookman

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Behind yet another display of power, and the continued excellence of Steven Ewing, the No. 20 University of Miami baseball team won its 10th contest in the last 11 tries, defeating visiting Bethune-Cookman University, 5-3, Wednesday evening at Alex Rodriguez Park.

Miami (25-12) – tuning up for three of their next four weekend series against top-ten opponents – used its third three-run home run game of the season, continued with solid pitching, to down the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman (22-19) in their only meeting this season.

Bethune-Cookman took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. UMiami sophomore starter Steven Ewing, who has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last eight starts, settled down and allowed just four hits over the remaining six innings to collect the win.

The win is the sixth consecutive for Ewing, whose only loss of the season came in his season debut at Florida Atlantic (Feb. 23).

It did not take long for Miami to respond, as junior infielder Harold Martinez hit his third home run of the year in the bottom of the second inning.  The very next batter, freshman Brad Fieger, hit a homer to the same spot over the left field wall – allowing the Hurricanes their first back-to-back series of home runs on the campaign.

Then after Stephen Perez walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, sophomore second baseman Zeke DeVoss ripped a single through the right side, plating Perez for a 3-1 Miami lead.

The three runs spelled the end for B-CU starter Julio Morales who took the loss on just 1 1/3 innings tossed, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks.

The Canes added to the lead in the third, as junior Rony Rodriguez sent the third UM home run of the night to left field for a 4-1 advantage.

Bethune-Cookman plated one run in both the fourth and eighth innings, but was unable to catch the Canes as the bullpen allowed just two hits in relief of Ewing.

Daniel Miranda earned his 11th save of the season in the victory.

Ewing picked up the win in seven innings worked, spreading out two earned runs on five hits, 10 strikeouts and no walks allowed. It was the second time this year the Orlando native has fanned double-digit batters.

The Canes now head to North Carolina for a three-game series in Chapel Hill at Boshamer Stadium against the 10th-ranked Tar Heels beginning Friday at 7 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on CSS.

Live stats for the games 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 improved to…

• 25-12 overall
• 17-6 at Alex Rodriguez Park
• 12-8 in non-conference play
• 21-3 all-time against Bethune-Cookman
• 16-6 in night games
• 8-0 in April
• 4-2 on Wednesday
• 10-1 when hitting a home run
• 11-2 when wearing green “M” hats

Tonight’s Starters
Rony Rodriguez started in right field tonight in place of freshman Dale Carey, while Chris Pelaez got the start at the designated hitter position. In his first start at home since the Georgia Tech series, sophomore Stephen Perez started at shortstop.

Streak Continues for DeVoss
Sophomore Zeke DeVoss continued two streaks tonight – his career-high nine-game hitting streak and his plate appearances without a strikeout. DeVoss has not struck out in 67 plate appearances dating back to his second at-bat of the second game against Georgia Tech (March 26).

Back-to-Back Jack
Harold Martinez and Brad Fieger went back-to-back out of the park on Wednesday, the first time all year UMiami has registered consecutive home runs on the year. For Fieger, it was his second game in a row with a homer – and for Martinez, his second game at home with a long ball.

Double Date
For the second year in a row, Miami and Bethune-Cookman have met on April 20.

Owning B-CU
Harold Martinez has homered in his last two games versus Bethune-Cookman. Martinez went solo en route to UM’s 5-2 win in the teams’ last meeting one year ago.

Rodriguez Dials Another Long Distance
For the second home game in a row, Rony Rodriguez went yard. His last homer came against Barry last Wednesday, April 13, with a first-inning blast.