April 5, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format 
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami and Florida Gulf Coast will conclude their three-game bounce series this year on Wednesday, April 5, at 7 p.m., at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which also serves as the Minnesota Twins’ spring training facility.
Miami (17-11) has taken both of the previous meetings against the Eagles this year – using scores of 5-2 (March 23) and 13-2 (March 29). Travis Miller earned his only win of the year in the first meeting between the two teams, seeing two innings of relief action – striking out two batters while sitting down all six that he faced. He came on in relief of freshman starter AJ Salcines.
As recently as last Tuesday, Miami defeated FGCU (15-15) inside Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Fla. UM leads the all-time series, 6-0.
Miami enters the contest working on a three-game win streak, sweeping both games of a doubleheader from Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Boston College on Sunday. UM is perfect in league road games on the year (5-0), also taking three games from Wake Forest two weeks ago in Winston Salem, N.C. The Hurricanes pounded out 36 hits collectively on Sunday, including a series season-high five home runs.
In true road games, the `Canes are 5-5 on the campaign – winning each of their last five.
The Hurricanes are led offensively by this week’s ACC Co-Player of the Week, junior infielder Rony Rodriguez. On the year, the Miami native and Sunset High alum leads the `Canes in several categories, including batting average (.305) and home runs (4). Against BC, Rodriguez was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two walks in the doubleheader opener, only to follow with a 2-for-3 performance in the nightcap – registering a solo home run in the fifth, which proved to be the game-winning RBI for the 7-6 decision. His slugging percentage for the week was 1.125, and he was perfect defensively with 14 putouts and an assist, all coming at the first base position.
Sophomore outfielder Zeke DeVoss leads the conference in stolen bases with 16 in 20 attempts, while batting .278 for UMiami – adding a team-best 25 runs and 26 walks, also producing 27 hits and 14 RBI. Junior infielder Harold Martinez, playing shortstop as of late for the injured Stephen Perez, is second on the team in batting with a .289 average on 28 hits (four doubles), a team-high 21 RBI and scoring 12 times.
FGCU comes into the game after defeating Florida Atlantic on Tuesday in Boca Raton. The leading hitter for the Eagles is Zach Maxfield, swinging at a .353 average with a team-high 41 hits, 11 doubles, six homers and 31 RBI. Behind him offensively is Javi Sujo carrying a .326 average, adding 29 hits 14 RBI and four doubles. The third and final Eagles performer batting above a .350 clip is Brandon Bednar (.309) with 29 hits, 18 runs scored and 13 RBI. Bednar is also perfect in steals at two-for-two.
Miami will pitch sophomore left-hander Steven Ewing (3-1, 2.60 ERA) for the second time in as many outings against the Eagles, with the Orlando native picking up a win last time in 5 2/3 tossed, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out five. Ewing has started all six games he’s appeared in while leading the `Canes in ERA. FGCU counters with right-hander Jason Forjet (1-2, 3.16 ERA). Forjet has a complete game under his belt this year, as well as a save out of the bullpen as he’s made eight appearances against just three starts.
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.