No. 19 Miami Baseball Takes First Game of Series from Terps

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The 19th-ranked University of Miami baseball team used a combined six hits and four RBI from Rony Rodriguez and Nathan Melendres to run away from host University of Maryland, 10-4, Friday night in Atlantic Coast Conference baseball action inside Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. Miami leads the best-of-three series.

Miami (23-11, 12-3 ACC) led 8-4 heading into the top of the 9th inning and plated two insurance runs from Melendres’ third hit of the night with a two-run scoring, one-out double to left center to bring in Chantz Mack and Zeke DeVoss on the play. That led to the final margin, 10-4.

Relief pitcher freshman Javi Salas worked the ninth inning on the mound for the Canes, allowing just a single hit, walking one and striking out one to close the contest.

Maryland (16-19, 3-13 ACC) starting pitcher David Carroll was finally chased in the top-half of the sixth inning when UMiami junior Rony Rodriguez picked up his third hit of the night courtesy a RBI double down the left field line that plated Melendres for the 6-3 Hurricanes lead.

The Canes offense did not stop there when Maryland reliever Michael Boyden toed the rubber, using a Harold Martinez single shot back up the middle to score Rodriguez. That run extended the UMiami lead at 7-2.

The Terps plated their final run of the game in the home-half of the seventh after Miami starting pitcher Bryan Radziewski loaded the bases for relief pitcher Travis Miller who took over with two outs. A walk to Michael Montville brought in a run (7-4) before Miller got the next batter out on a breaking ball that painted the black.

The lead would swell to 8-4 in favor of Miami in the eighth when Dale Carey’s dribbler to third allowed Melendres to scamper in from third as the bases were juiced with two outs. The third baseman for the Terps had no play as the turf infield put a high hop on the ball, allowing all runners to advance safely for the Hurricanes.

UMiami plated three runs off Maryland’s Carroll in the third inning, with the big blow being a two-out, two-run scoring single by David Villasuso – advancing to second on the play courtesy an error by the center fielder.

That put the Canes up, 4-1.

The first run of the inning was issued by Carroll on a bases-loaded walk to Dale Carey, bringing in the runner – Rodriguez – from third.

Miami pulled ahead, 5-2, in the fourth inning on the end of a Rodriguez single to left center, bringing in Melendres from second for one of his game-high three runs scored after doubling a batter earlier.

The Terps cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth, 5-3, courtesy a RBI single from Ryan Holland, crossing Alfredo Rodriguez on the play.

Miami got on the board in the top of the first inning, as Nathan Melendres stole second base, but the throw from Maryland catcher Aaron Etchison bounced off the turf just in front of the bag – allowing Zeke DeVoss to trot in from third.

Maryland quickly tied it up in the bottom of the first inning after the Terps put two men on, then using a dribbler to short by Austin Kilbourne – but the throw was into the turf by Stephen Perez, allowing second baseman Ryan Holland to score from second.

Maryland was led offensively on the night by Alfredo Rodriguez with three hits and a run scored, followed by Holland’s 2-for-3 showing and a RBI.

The loss went to starter Carroll, falling to 5-3 on the campaign, tossing 5 1/3 innings – allowing six earned runs on eight Hurricanes hits and walking eight batters without collecting a strikeout.

On the other end, the win went to Radziewski who hurled 6 2/3 frames with four runs (two earned) on eight hits scattered, and collecting six strikeouts and walking two.

Relievers Travis Miller and Javi Salas finished the game with a combined four strikeouts (three from Miller) and a hit allowed.

Offensively, it was Rodriguez and Melendres leading the way for the Hurricanes with three hits apiece. Following them was shortstop Stephen Perez with two hits in his first start since March 23, sitting out since then due to injury.

Miami will look to take the series victory tomorrow at 3 p.m., trotting out sophomore right-hander Eric Whaley to the mound for the start. Maryland has yet to name a starter for tomorrow’s contest.

The weather could play a factor in tomorrow’s game, however, as rain and severe storms are expected tomorrow morning and running deep into the night. The game could be moved to Saturday at 7 p.m., but might be rescheduled for a Sunday doubleheader altogether.

Stay tuned to HurricaneSports.com for more details, as the decision is expected to be made by Noon tomorrow.

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.

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