Miami Baseball Cruises Past Florida Gulf Coast, 13-2

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami scored in each of the first five innings, and sophomore Steven Ewing took care of the rest, as the Hurricanes blew out the visiting Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, 13-2, Tuesday evening at Alex Rodriguez Park.

Eight different starters reached base, as the Hurricanes (15-11) scored a season-high in runs scored.  Sophomores Zeke DeVoss and Michael Broad each hit home runs, as the Hurricanes recorded five extra-base hits in the win.

Ewing (3-1, 2.60 ERA) threw 4 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball in earning the victory.  After Ewing left in the sixth inning, the bullpen returned to dominance to allow FGCU (13-13) just three hits and no runs in the final 3 1/3 innings.

Miami scored in the first when Harold Martinez recorded his team-leading 19th RBI with a sacrifice fly to drive in the speedy DeVoss from third.

In the second inning, Miami added two more runs as freshman right fielder Dale Carey hit his first double of the year to drive in Chris Pelaez and Brad Fieger. The runs effectively ended the night for FGCU starter Brandon Bixler (0-3) who took the loss after leaving in the second inning with no outs.

After Miami plated another score in the third inning, the `Canes blew it open, scoring six runs in the fourth inning – capped off by DeVoss’ grand slam (his first since May 27, 2010 vs. Boston College in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.).

UMiami forced FGCU Eagles head coach Dave Tollett to go to his bullpen early and often, using four pitchers through the first five frames, as the Hurricanes walked a season-high tying eight times in addition to their 11 hits.

DeVoss recorded four RBI to lead the `Canes, while Fieger, Carey, and Shane Rowland each added two RBI as Miami put a halt to a recent three-game skid.

The Hurricanes now hit the road, returning to ACC action against Boston College this weekend in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The first game of the series will be Friday, April 1, at 2:30 p.m. Miami will throw freshman Bryan Radziewski (3-2, 2.48 ERA) to open the series, while Boston College’s starter will be announced following its game on Wednesday evening.

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 win, the Hurricanes are now…

• 15-11 overall
• 6-0 vs. Florida Gulf Coast all-time
• 2-0 vs. Florida Gulf Coast this season
• 12-6 at Alex Rodriguez Park this season
• 7-5 in games when the opponent starts a left-handed pitcher
• 10-2 when they score first

Tonight’s Starters
Harold Martinez makes his fourth consecutive start at shortstop for the injured Stephen Perez. David Villasuso is back behind the plate after a day off on Sunday. Chris Pelaez, coming off a shoulder injury, makes his second start of the year – as he was slotted as the DH and hit sixth. 

DeVoss Goes Deep
Zeke DeVoss hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Hurricanes a 10-0 lead. It was the second grand slam of the season for the `Canes, as Michael Broad hit one exactly a week ago against UCF. For DeVoss, it was his first home run of the season, and his first since May 29, 2010, against Virginia in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. It was also his second career grand slam, as he last cleared the bases against Boston College on May 27 of last year – also in the ACC Tournament.

Extra Effort
Freshman outfielder Dale Carey recorded his first and second extra-base hits of his career when he doubled in the second and third innings, respectively. His double in the second inning drove home a run – his third RBI in as many games.

With a double in the eighth inning, Brad Fieger reached base four times in one game for the first time this season.

Double the Fun
Sophomore Michael Broad hit a deep home run over the left field fence in the fifth inning, his second blast of the season. This was the first game this season where the Hurricanes had hit two home runs in one game.

Playing the field
Cade Kreuter pinch-hit for Rony Rodriguez in the bottom of the fifth, and took over for him at first base in the top of the sixth inning. It was the first time all season Kreuter saw action in the field, defensively.