Ewing Picks Up Seventh-Straight Win in Canes Victory Over Bulls

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Behind another strong pitching performance from Steven Ewing and a season-high nine-run inning, the University of Miami easily took care of USF, 14-5, on Wednesday night at Alex Rodriguez Park. Michael Broad sparked the offense with his second grand slam of the season to break the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The win was the Canes’ 14th in 16 games, as the team improves to 28-13 heading into the much-anticipated series against Florida State this weekend in Coral Gables.

Ewing (7-1, 2.49 ERA) went 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and striking out four to earn the win on Wednesday. The lefty was in control throughout, picking up his seventh-straight victory in as many outings – dating back to the March 1 contest against USF in Tampa.

The outcome of the game was in doubt early-on as Ewing and two USF pitchers battled to a 2-2 tie through five and a half innings. However, Miami (28-13) broke the contest open in the bottom of the sixth with nine runs on seven hits, with a season-high 13 batters coming to the plate. The frame was highlighted by Broad’s grand slam.

Nathan Melendres led off the sixth inning with a walk, followed by Rony Rodriguez getting hit by a pitch attempting to bunt. Brad Fieger then laid down a good bunt to the third base side, reaching on a throwing error from USF (19-21) pitcher Jimmy Moran.

Broad took advantage immediately, crushing the grand slam to the power alley in left to clear the bases. He also hit a grand slam against UCF – adding an unofficial salami against the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game in February.

The Canes were not done in the inning, collecting five singles and a double to end the frame to finish with a season-best nine-run inning. The nine runs was the second time in the last four games that UMiami has scored eight or more runs in an inning – also doing so with eight against UNC last Saturday in the 10th at Chapel Hill.

Jimmy Moran (3-1) took the loss for the Bulls who defeated the Canes, 4-2, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on March 1 as part of the annual “Florida Four”.

Fieger led the Canes at the plate Wednesday night, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Broad also went 2-for-5 with two runs and five RBIs. Cade Kreuter, enjoying his birthday on the evening, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run in a last-minute switch with junior Harold Martinez who was pulled from the lineup while feeling ill.

Todd Brazeal and Peter Brotons each homered for the visiting Bulls.

Miami went on to plate three more in the eighth inning, with the Bulls answering with two in the top of the ninth to wrap up the scoring for the night.

The Hurricanes will be back in action this weekend, hosting rival Florida State at Alex Rodriguez Park, with the series beginning Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m.

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. The game will be streamed live via Canes All-Access, also located at HurricaneSports.com.

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 Postgame Notes:

With the win, the Hurricanes improved to…

• 28-13 overall
• 18-6 at Alex Rodriguez Park
• 13-8 in non-conference play
• 83-30 all-time against USF
• 16-6 in night games
• 13-2 in April
• 5-2 on Wednesday
• 14-1 when hitting a home run
• 12-2 when wearing green “M” hats

Tonight’s Starters
In a game time decision, freshman Cade Kreuter was subbed for Harold Martinez who was not feeling well.

Ewing Winning
Starting sophomore pitcher Steven Ewing picked up his team-leading seventh consecutive win in as many starts. In those seven starts, his has averaged 6.4 innings per game.

Fieger’s Feeling It
Freshman Brad Fieger extended his season and career hitting streak to six games with his second-inning single. Fieger also hit his 11th double of the year in the sixth inning. The two-bagger ties him with Nathan Melendres for first on the team in doubles.

Broad Range
Sophomore Michael Broad hit his second grand slam and third homerun of the year with a sixth-inning, left-center bomb.

Round and Round We Go
The Hurricanes scored nine runs in the sixth inning which marked a season high for runs scored in an inning. Also, the 13 UM batters in the sixth inning broke a UM season record for batters in an inning (12, UNC 4/23 & VT 3/13)

High Ranks
Collegiate Baseball News ranked the Miami Hurricanes No. 14 coming into tonight’s game. That’s the Canes highest ranking of the 2011 season.

Happy Birthday
Cade Kreuter subbed in for the ailing Harold Martinez tonight, going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI on his birthday.