`Canes Baseball Sweeps Fourth ACC Opponent of the 2011 Season

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After a wild win on Saturday night, the University of Miami (21-11, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) made easy work of NC State (18-15, 5-10 ACC) with a 3-0 shutout win to complete a series sweep of the Wolfpack at Alex Rodriguez Park on Sunday afternoon.

In his seventh start, sophomore pitcher E.J. Encinosa (2-2, 2.84 ERA) tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 11 batters while allowing just two hits and walking one. Five times on the course of the day, Encinosa forced three-up, three down against the Wolfpack – and just five NC State batters hit to the outfield in the Miami native’s time on the bump.

By comparison, starting Wolfpack pitcher Grant Sasser’s (1-2, 1.29 ERA) performance proved to be NC State’s downfall. Through four innings, Sasser failed to issue a walk, but a costly error came in the fourth inning as a balk put Harold Martinez into scoring position.

Two pitches later, the `Canes scored their first run when freshmen Brad Fieger knocked in Martinez with a two-out single.

Fieger’s bat has come alive as of late. His two singles on the day marked his third multi-hit game in a row.

The following inning, catcher David Villasuso scored from second on a throwing error by Wolfpack first baseman Peter Bako, following an infield fielder’s choice by Chantz Mack. In the next at-bat, sophomore Zeke DeVoss scored from third off the bat of junior Nathan Melendres’ fielder’s choice that cut Mack at second.

The bullpen then finished off the Pack, allowing just one hit in the final two innings. Junior Daniel Miranda earned his ninth save of the year as he retired three straight batters to close the game. The win marks the seventh consecutive victory for Miami, and the fourth sweep of a league opponent.

The Hurricanes resume action Wednesday, April 13, welcoming cross-town competitor Barry University to Alex Rodriguez Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The `Canes will continue ACC play on the road at Maryland next weekend.

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…

• 21-11 overall
• 11-3 in ACC play
• 27-11 all-time versus NC State
• 15-6 at Alex Rodriguez Park this season
• 9-5 in games when the opponent starts a left-handed pitcher
• 15-2 when scoring first
• 6-0 in April

10K for E.J.
Sophomore right-hander E.J. Encinosa struck out 11 Wolfpack batters today in 7 innings of work.  Encinosa left after throwing 99 pitches – 67 of which were for strikes.

Production in the Clutch
Miami took the lead on a single by Brad Fieger with two outs in the fourth inning.

Fieger Keeps Hitting
Freshman third baseman Brad Fieger has now produced three-straight multi-hit games after going 2-for-3 today.

Making the Defense Work
The Hurricanes’ batters put the ball in play plenty today, striking out just five times.

Strong Relief
After a disappointing on Saturday evening, the UMiami bullpen combined for two scoreless innings on just one hit allowed.  After blowing last night’s save, Daniel Miranda retired all three batters in the 9th for his team-leading ninth save of the year.

Get out Your Brooms
The Hurricanes, who are now 11-3 in the ACC, have swept four out of five ACC series this year (Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College and NC State)

Don’t Walk…Run
Miami did not draw a single walk on the day. Every plate appearance for the Hurricanes resulted in an official at-bat today.

Rubbing it in the Dirt
NC State only had five balls leave the infield against Miami starter E.J. Encinosa – including four fly outs and a double.