Big First Inning Powers No. 14 Miami to Victory

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 14th-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes used another barrage of hitting to defeat the Hofstra Pride, 9-3, Saturday night at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Fla. The Hurricanes took the series from the Pride with back-to-back wins Friday and Saturday.

Miami (31-15) has scored a total of 25 runs in the two games this series, using timely hitting and effective pitching to win the first two contests in lop-sided fashion.

Hofstra (11-28) struck first in the scoring column Saturday evening, as UMiami sophomore starter Eric Whaley took an inning to settle down. He walked the first batter of the game on four pitches, and gave up two-straight singles that led to the first run of the game.  But, after a sacrifice bunt, he struck out the next two batters to limit the damage to just that one run.

The Hurricanes quickly responded in the bottom of the frame, with sophomore second baseman Zeke DeVoss leading off the at-bat with a triple. Chantz Mack followed with a double that squeaked by the third baseman, scoring DeVoss and tying the game. After a bunt single by Nathan Melendres, Rodriguez hit an RBI fielder’s choice – giving the Canes a 2-1 lead. An RBI groundball single through the left side by Dale Carey made it 3-1, and shortstop Stephen Perez drove in two more runs with a RBI triple to right to make the score 5-1 in favor of UM.

Hofstra would score again in the third inning, plating two more runs off the bat of Danny Poma.

Whaley allowed three consecutive hits to start the inning, including a two run double to right field that made the score 5-3.

After four scoreless innings, the Canes added two more runs in the fifth.

With junior first baseman Harold Martinez standing on second, Carey hit a two-run home run over the left field fence – his first career round-tripper as a Miami Hurricanes player. That made the score, 7-3, and ended any chance of a Pride comeback.

Miami tacked on one more run in the sixth. After a single and stolen base by Melendres, Martinez drove him in with a sacrifice to deep center field, boosting the UM advantage at 8-3.

Another sac fly by Chantz Mack in the seventh pushed the Hurricanes lead out to 9-3.

Whaley went six innings for the Canes, shaking off a slow beginning to strike out three and give up only three runs – recording his team-high matching seventh win of the season. Hofstra starter Jared Rogers went five, giving up seven runs on nine hits, and moves to 0-4 on the campaign for the Pride.

UM relievers Travis Miller, Javi Salas and Sam Robinson pitched the final three innings – one inning a piece, allowing no runs and just one hit to close out the victory.

The Canes and Pride are back at it tomorrow for the series finale, as UM sophomore right-hander E.J Encinosa (4-3, 2.80 ERA) faces probable Hofstra starter righty David D’Errico (4-5, 4.34 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Pride, though slated as the starter earlier in the weekend for Saturday’s game. The game has been moved up an hour to accommodate travel for Hofstra, and first pitch is scheduled for Noon.

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 Hurricanes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.

University of Miami Baseball Postgame Notes:

University of Miami Baseball Postgame Notes:

With the win, the No. 14 Hurricanes are now…

• 31-15 on the season
• 15-8 in out of conference games
• 21-8 at Alex Rodriguez Park this season
• 11-12 in games where the opponent scores first
• 2-0 in May
• 7-4 on Saturday
• 13-3 when wearing green script “M” hats

Tonight’s Starters
Shane Rowland started his 29th game of the season and 26th behind the plate for the Hurricanes. Zeke DeVoss started at second, his 15th start of the season there. DeVoss is the only Hurricanes player to start every game this season.

Tack ‘Em On
The Hurricanes came out with a bang, scoring five runs in the first inning en route to the 9-3 victory. It marked the eighth time this season, and second game in a row, where Miami has scored five or more runs in an inning.

Inaugural Homer
For the first time as a Cane, freshman Dale Carey went yard on a two-run blast to left field in the fifth inning. He plated junior Harold Martinez who had singled on the prior at-bat.

Bullpen
In three innings pitched, the Canes’ bullpen gave up no runs to Hofstra’s offense. Pitching an inning a piece, junior Travis Miller, freshman Javi Salas and junior Sam Robinson rendered the Pride scoreless.

Hot Hitter
Sophomore Stephen Perez has recorded seven RBI in the series – including two in tonight’s game. Meanwhile, junior Nathan Melendres extended his hitting streak to seven games with two hits on the night.

Another Strong Showing for Whaley
In six innings tossed, Miami sophomore pitcher Eric Whaley struck out three of the 25 batters he faced and allowed just five hits and three runs. His ERA of 2.99 is third-best on the team behind E.J. Encinosa (2.80) and Steven Ewing (2.49).

Sign Her Up
University of Miami head women’s basketball coach Katie Meier threw out the ceremonial first pitch, impressing the crowd with a rather fast strike down the middle.