No. 8 Canes Set for Rematch With No. 1 Gators

Miami 8-0 (0-0 ACC)
    Roster | Coaches | Schedule/Results | Stats
    UBaseball History | Digital Guide      
   
    Twitter: @CanesBaseball
    Facebook: /HurricaneSports
    Blog: UBaseball

Florida 7-1 (0-0 SEC)
    Roster | Coaches | Schedule/Results | Stats

    Twitter: @GatorZoneBB
    Facebook: / FloridaGators

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The eighth-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes begin their highly anticipated series with in-state rival No. 1 Florida on Friday at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The Hurricanes, who improved to 8-0 on the season with a 10-5 win over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday night, were bounced from the NCAA Tournament last year in the Gainesville Regional. Miami dropped all five of its contests against Florida in 2011, including a three-game series in Gainesville early in the season.

Scouting the Gators
Florida, who finished as the national runners-up in 2011 after falling in the College World Series to South Carolina, return many of the players who keyed last year’s deep run into the postseason. The Gators, off to a hot 7-1 start in 2012, were ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in nearly every preseason poll.

Offensively, Florida is led by catcher Mike Zunino (.440 batting average, two homeruns,six RBI) and rightfielder Preston Tucker (.387, five homeruns, eight RBI). On the hill, the Gators have been powered by lefty Brian Johnson (1-0, 0.87 ERA) and righty Hudson Randall (1-0, 3.00 ERA).

Miami Against Florida
The Canes have struggled against the Gators in recent memory, including a disappointing trip to Gainesville to begin their 2011 postseason.

The Canes, who lost two games to the Gators during their run through the Gainesville Regional, were knocked out of the postseason by the Gators last time out in an 11-4 loss on June 5. Miami still holds an all-time advantage in the series (124-104-1), but has dropped 11 of the last 12 between the two rivals dating back to 2009.

A Dish Best Served Cold The Canes earned their eighth consecutive victory to open the season against a familiar foe in visiting Florida Atlantic University on Wednesday night. The Owls, who took 2-of-3 from the Canes in 2011, were down 4-0 early on shortstop Michael Broad’s third career grand slam.

Junior Steven Ewing, who has served as the
team’s midweek starter early on in 2012, enjoyed another impressive outing; the Orlando native pitched seven strong innings, allowing only two runs while striking out a season-high eight batters.

Eric Erickson (2-0) impressed in his second start, throwing six full innings and striking out nine while allowing only four hits. The lefty, who guided the Canes to a 15-4 win, has a 16:0 K:BB ratio through his 13 innings of work.

Eric Whaley’s six innings of three-hit ball helped the Canes to an 11-1 win in Game Two. Captain Peter O’Brien finished the game2-for-4 with three RBI.

Sophomore Bryan Radziewski rebounded from a disappointing first start in earning his fi rst win of the season in the series fi nale. “B-Rad” threw six full innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four in a 12-5 Canes win.

Weekend Schedule:

GAME 1: FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 7 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – (LHP) Eric Erickson (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
FLORIDA – (RHP) Hudson Randall (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

GAME 2: SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 7 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – (RHP) Eric Whaley (1-0, 0.75 ERA)
RUTGERS – (RHP) Brian Johnson (1-0, 0.87 ERA)

GAME 3: SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI – (LHP) Bryan Radziewski (1-0, 5.59 ERA)
FLORIDA – TBA