Largest Comeback of the Year Pushes Miami Forward

DURHAM, N.C. – The name Zeke DeVoss will be known around the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament this weekend. He picked up the University of Miami baseball team when things looked bleak on Thursday, helping stage the biggest rally of the year for the Hurricanes. Fifth seed Miami took down No. 4 seed North Carolina, 7-5, in the first game of day two action at the ACC Baseball Tournament inside Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C.

Miami (35-20) trailed by five runs, and had only clawed back from a four-run deficit once this year – versus Illinois State, taking a 5-4 win in extra innings in Coral Gables earlier this season. However, on Thursday, all that changed, and one thing that hurt UM all year came in the best of places – timely hits from Harold Martinez.

Trailing 5-0 heading into the sixth inning, UMiami starting pitcher Bryan Radziewski seemed to tire-out, and the hitting was coming in spurts – just not when needed. But all that changed with one swing of the bat to spark the Hurricanes with Harold Martinez’s single in the top of the sixth.

The Hurricanes finally got to North Carolina (44-13) starting right-handed pitcher Greg Holt when his 118th pitch was taken to shallow center by freshman Dale Carey for a two-out RBI single that scored Martinez from second, cutting into the UNC lead at 5-1.

UNC reliever Tate Parrish faced UM pinch hitter Cade Kreuter, eventually walking him on five pitches – setting the table for another reliever, Andrew Smith. Zeke DeVoss, who already had two of the Canes’ six hits in the game, came to the plate with the bases loaded and two away. Appropriately, it was the player that started the game with an extra-base hit that delivered the timely double once again, scoring three runs to pull UM within, 5-4. DeVoss was called out at third trying to leg-out a triple, but his slide was past the bag and he was tagged out on the play.

But for the Hurricanes, the damage was done – and it was the sophomore “leader” of the team that came up big once again.

In the next inning, the Hurricanes offense picked right back up where it left off in the sixth.

After the bases became loaded again for the Hurricanes and two outs, Stephen Perez delivered a two-run scoring single through the left side after falling behind 0-2 in the count to UNC pitcher R.C. Orlan, scoring Martinez and Brad Fieger on the play for the go-ahead runs.

That completed the largest comeback of the season, putting Miami up, 6-5.

In the ninth inning, Miami delivered the knockout blow when freshman catcher Corey Janson registered his first RBI of the year with a RBI single through the left side – a point of emphasis on the day for the Hurricanes – adding to the lead, 7-5, as Perez crossed safely.

In the final three innings, UM relievers Sam Robinson and Daniel Miranda shut down the Tar Heels hitting from top to bottom – allowing just a single hit – with Miranda recording his team-high 13th save of the year.

UNC registered its fourth run of the game in the fifth inning, using an error by Rony Rodriguez in left field. The error on Rodriguez advanced UNC first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki home for the 4-0 lead in favor of the Tar Heels. North Carolina added another run in the frame to stake a 5-0 lead when Greg Holt drove a Radziewski pitch to left center, pushing across Stallings for the score.

As for the University of Miami, the hits were just not there early-on Thursday morning/afternoon.

North Carolina struck first in the opening frame, using a Colin Moran double to center that brought in Levi Michael from first. With the bases full of Tar Heels, Ben Bunting delivered a two-out RBI single to right that plated Moran for the 2-0 UNC advantage.

Bryan Radziewski struggled in his last game against North Carolina back in April, and this time was no different. The Miami native issued a bases-loaded walk to UNC starting pitcher/designated hitter Greg Holt, putting the homestanding Tar Heels up, 3-0, early-on.

Miami threatened in the top of the fifth with runners on the corners – following Zeke DeVoss’ single, stolen base and advance to third on an error. A walk issued by Holt to Melendres brought Rony Rodriguez to the plate, but he flied out to deep left for the third and final out of the frame.

Radziewski failed to register into the decision for the second time against the Tar Heels, this time allowing five earned runs on eight hits and walking six and striking out five batters in just five innings tossed. The win went to freshman reliever AJ Salcines who grabbed his first decision of the year, tossing an inning and issuing a walk and claiming two strikeouts.

Miami will get back to the diamond tomorrow against top-seeded Virginia at 11 a.m. The Hurricanes will use sophomore right-hander Eric Whaley (7-5, 2.61 ERA) against Virginia’s right-hander pitcher, Will Roberts (10-1, 1.67 ERA).

For more information on the ACC Baseball Tournament, please visit TheACC.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 Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.

University of Miami Postgame Notes:

With the win, the Hurricanes are now:

• 35-20 overall
• 20-10 in the ACC
• 2-0 in neutral site games
• 16-10 in day games
• 14-5 when wearing green script “M” hats

Comeback Kids
Today’s seven unanswered runs mark the largest comeback of the season for the Canes.  The second largest comeback came against Illinois State when the Canes overcame a four-run deficit to win.

The Hurricanes grab just their fourth win of the year when trailing after six innings.

Lead It Off
Sophomore Zeke DeVoss led off the game with a single to left center, allowing him to reach safely to start the game for the Cane sin three of the last four games.

The Boss, or Is It Da Boss?
Second baseman Zeke “Da Boss” DeVoss reached base safely in his first five plate appearances, including four hits and a walk. Overall, he has reached safely in his last 11 plate appearances.

Radziewski Not a Heels Fan
Freshman left-hander Bryan Radziewski struggled the last time against UNC in April, taking a no-decision in his start – allowing four earned runs on nine hits through seven innings. The Miami native allowed three runs in the opening inning Thursday – accounting for his second-worst inning of the year.

Radziewski’s worst outing came at top-ranked Florida (March 4) when he allowed four runs in the second inning against the Gators.

Not So Unlucky 13
Junior outfielder Nathan Melendres’ double to center in the third inning was his 13th of the year – second-best on the UMiami squad.

Mr. Clutch
DeVoss was 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBI to start the game for the Canes, helping erase a 5-0 deficit to cut into the UNC lead, 5-4. He lined his second double of the day to right center in the sixth inning, scoring Cade Kreuter, Dale Carey and Chris Pelaez – but was called out at third as his slide to third was over the bag trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Perez Makes His Presence Felt
Sophomore shortstop Stephen Perez laced a two-out single through the left side to score Brad Fieger and Harold Martinez (who represented the go-ahead run) and give Miami a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Magic Number Six
The Hurricanes plated four runs in the sixth inning today, bringing their season total to 56 runs in the sixth inning of games, 16 more than they have plated in any other inning this season.

If You Score, You Win
After scoring seven runs in today’s game, Miami now improves to 16-0 when scoring at least six runs.  They also improve to 31-9 when holding their opponent to five or fewer runs.  The Hurricanes also improved to 32-4 when out-hitting their opponent.  Interestingly, the Hurricanes are now 10-3 when their opponent scores in the first inning, despite giving up three runs to the Tar Heels today.

New Guy in Town
Freshman catch Corey Janson, making just his sixth appearance of the year, got his second hit of the season, and it proved valuable, knocking in the seventh run of the game for the Canes.

Bullpen Excellence
For the 26th time this season, the Miami bullpen did not allow a run, this time allowing just one hit and one walk in 3 1/3 innings of relief.