No. 19 Miami Uses Late Homer for Edge in Series with Terps

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Brad Fieger’s two-run homer in the seventh inning pushed the 19th-ranked University of Miami past homestanding University of Maryland in the second game of Sunday’s Atlantic Coast Conference baseball doubleheader, 5-2, at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. The win allowed UMiami to collect the series win – their fifth of the season in league play.

With the win, University of Miami head coach Jim Morris – now enjoying his18th year at the helm in Coral Gables – picked up his 800th win as the skipper of the Miami Hurricanes.

With Harold Martinez on second base in the seventh inning and the game tied at two, freshman third baseman Brad Fieger picked up his first home run of the year with a deep shot to left centerfield to bolt Miami (24-12, 13-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) out to a 4-2 advantage.

The Canes added an insurance run in the ninth off Maryland (17-20, 4-14 ACC) reliever Korey Wacker, with Fieger picking up his third RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to left that crossed Rony Rodriguez from third. Rodriguez kicked off the inning with a leadoff double for the Hurricanes.

After collecting the opening game of Sunday’s doubleheader, 10-2, the Terrapins had a 2-1 lead after three innings of action.

Catcher Aaron Etchison scored the first of two Terrapins runs in the frame on a sacrifice bunt by Korey Wacker – but the throw from UMiami third baseman Brad Fieger was high, allowing Etchison to score. Wacker was called out on the same play at third trying to advance.

The second run came in with Alfredo Rodriguez stealing home plate after Ryan Holland was caught between first and second for the third out of the inning – but he stalled long enough for Rodriguez to score before the tag, giving Maryland a 2-1 lead.

Miami tied the game in the fourth inning when sophomore shortstop Stephen Perez and freshman catcher Shane Rowland completed a double-steal, but Rowland was seemingly caught in a pickle between first and second. Rowland avoided the tag, and then went to second while Perez came around for the score – knotting the contest at 2-all.

Miami scored first in the second inning after Zeke DeVoss laced a single to right field, and then an error on right fielder Charlie White allowed UMiami freshman right fielder Dale Carey to cross from second.

Miami starter E.J. Encinosa collected the win to up his record at 3-2 on the campaign, tossing seven complete innings, allowing two runs – both unearned- on six hits with five strikeouts. The loss went to Maryland reliever Eric Potter, dropping his record at 3-5 for the year.

Junior hurler Daniel Miranda collected his 10th save of the year with an inning tossed in the ninth, allowing a single and striking out one.

Without factoring into the decision, Maryland starter Chuck Ghysels tossed 5 1/3 innings with two earned runs on five hits scattered and striking out five Canes and walking eight. Korey Wacker finished the game on the mound for the Terrapins.

Miami was led offensively in the game by Fieger’s three-RBI performance on his only hit – that being the round-tripper in the seventh. Zeke DeVoss had a two-hit performance in three trips, adding a RBI of his own, and walking twice.

The Maryland Terrapins used the bat of Austin Kilbourne and Tim Kiene to lead the way, each posting 2-for-3 performances at the dish.

Miami returns to the diamond Wednesday, April 20, against non-conference opponent Bethune-Cookman at Alex Rodriguez Park beginning at 6 p.m.

For ticket information for the 2011 baseball season, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit Hurricanesports.com.

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