Canes Fall 7-6 to Marlins on Walk-off Hit

MIAMI, Fla. – The University of Miami Hurricanes helped open the city’s new state-of-the-art ballpark on Tuesday in an exhibition game against the Miami Marlins. The Canes, who earned a win against the Marlins in the 2011 rendition of the series, fell 7-6 at Marlins Park in the stadium-opening exhibition for the MLB club.

10,000 tickets were sold in anticipation of the game, as many fans in the stands sported both Hurricanes and Marlins colors in support of their two hometown teams.

Under new manager Ozzie Guillen, the Marlins trotted out a fearsome lineup, including the likes of All-Star infielder Hanley Ramirez, UBaseball alum Gaby Sanchez, fan favorite Logan Morrison and newly-acquired starter Mark Buehrle.

Despite the star-studded roster, no player on either team stood out more than Hurricanes’ freshman lefthander Andrew Suarez, who faced ten Marlin batters in his first career start. Suarez, who allowed only two hits and struck out one, threw three clean innings for the Hurricanes, who capitalized on their lefty’s performance by giving him an early lead.

With Buehrle dealing through his first two innings, the bottom of the Hurricanes’ lineup proved its worth in the top of the third inning. Three straight pitches to Julian Santos, Jarred Mederos and Tyler Palmer were converted into singles, loading the bases for the Hurricanes. The very next pitch from Buehrle to centerfielder Dale Carey was ripped down the third base line, as the Marietta, Ga. native cleared the bases with a stand-up double, giving his team the 3-0 lead.

The Hurricanes would immediately surrender their lead, however, as a four-run performance from the Marlins in the fourth inning gave the home team control of the game. Freshman reliever Alex Fernandez struggled with his control, allowing three hits and walking two. Chris Diaz, another freshman arm from the bullpen, would minimize the damage, the Canes headed to the fifth inning down only 4-3.

After trading runs in the fifth, the Hurricanes capitalized with a two-run sixth inning. Freshman third baseman Esteban Tresgallo started off the inning by reaching on an error, while the next two batters, substitutes Michael Broad and Corey Janson, were both hit by pitches . After a strikeout from Mederos, Palmer laced a double to left field, scoring both Tresgallo and Broad and giving the Canes a 6-5 lead.

Javi Salas, AJ Salcines and Alex San Juan combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and one walk over that span.

Eric Nedeljovic, who was given the ball to start the ninth inning, Back-to-back walks gave the Marlins runners on first and second, while an RBI single from Nick Yelich tied the game at 6-6. A single through the right side from Terry Tiffee sealed the game and the win for the Marlins.

The Hurricanes return to action with a midweek tilt against Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday. First pitch for the team’s matchup with the RedHawks is scheduled for 6 p.m.