Canes Remain Undefeated, Take Down FAU 10-5
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Powered by an eight-run performance over the game’s first two innings, the eighth-ranked Miami Hurricanes moved to a perfect 8-0 on the season with a 10-5 win over visiting Florida Atlantic University.
Shortstop Michael Broad, riding a five-game hit streak into Wednesday’s matchup with the Owls, connected on his third career grand slam to put the Canes up 4-0 in the first inning.
Miami tacked on another four runs in the next frame, keyed by leftfielder Rony Rodriguez’s team-leading sixth double of the season. Rodriguez, who knocked in two runs on his double to centerfield, would cross home plate on Broad’s fifth RBI of the night later in the inning.
Junior Steven Ewing (2-0) earned the victory for the second consecutive start with an impressive showing against a talented FAU offense. The Owls, who scored 23 runs over a three-game sweep of Alabama, struck out eight times against the lefty and were held to only two runs in Ewing’s seven innings of work.
Owls’ starter Jake Meiers, who had found success facing Miami in his two starts against the Canes in 2011, was pulled after a disastrous start. Meiers allowed eight earned runs in his two innings of work, striking out two and walking two batters as well.
A bright spot for FAU was the Owl bullpen, who pitched impressively over the next six innings. Relievers Kenny Sharpe (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and Kevin Perez (1.0 IP, 1 H) combined for five straight scoreless frames, while the Canes’ two runs late in the game were both unearned.
The Owls threatened late in the game, as Michael Sylvestri connected on a three-run homerun off freshman Andrew Suarez to shorten the Canes’ lead to three runs. The Miami bullpen would manage to hold off the late surge, led by a scoreless ninth inning from reliever A.J. Salcines, as the Canes won by a final score of 10-5.
The Canes return to action Friday night when they host in-state rival No.2 Florida for a three-game series at Alex Rodriguez Park. Game times are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
GAME NOTES:
Through The Quad
Michael Broad (six games) and Esteban Tresgallo (seven games) both extended their season-long hit streaks on Wednesday night. Broad belted his third official grand slam (and fourth including last year’s exhibition against the Florida Marlins) to give the Canes a 4-0 lead.
Scoreless No More
Steven Ewing gave up his first runs of the season against the Owls after beginning his junior campaign by throwing 10 straight scoreless. Ewing has given up only two runs in his seventeen innings so far in 2012, good for a 1.04 ERA.
Back At It
After starting the season off slow, outfielder Rony Rodriguez has upped his average above .300 for the first time all season. With six hits over his last two games, Rodriguez is now hitting at a .314 clip, including four runs and four RBI in his past eight at-bats.
