No. 11 @CanesBaseball Set for Tilt with FAU
Miami Hurricanes vs. FAU Owls
Feb. 19, 2014 | 6 p.m.
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field | Coral Gables, Fla.
Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM
TV: Canes All-Access (HurricaneSports.com) ($)
Tickets: CanesTix.com
Twitter: @CanesBaseball
Facebook: /TheUBaseball
Miami against FAU: 53-11 all-time advantage
Miami Hurricanes 2-1 (0-0 ACC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Stats
Projected Starters:
Miami RHP Javi Salas (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. FAU LHP Brandon Rhodes (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
The Broadcast
WVUM 90.5 FM will broadcast the game, which will be available to watch via Canes All-Access on HurricaneSports.com. Click HERE for more information. Fans can also listen in online at WVUM.org.
STARTING OUT
• Three freshmen were in head coach Jim Morris’ Opening Day lineup: first baseman Zack Collins, designated hitter Willie Abreu and second baseman Johnny Ruiz. Shortstop Laz Rivera and designated hitter Jacob Heyward earned starts in game two against Maine.
• Three Hurricanes pitchers made their career-first appearances in the team’s series victory over maine: righthander Bryan Garcia, lefthander Danny Garcia and righthander Cooper Hammond.
• Four Hurricanes connected on their career-first basehits in Sunday’s finale: Willie Abreu (double), Edgar Michelangeli (double), Laz Rivera (RBI single) and Brad Zunica (single).
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
• Miami entered the 2014 season ranked among the 20 teams in every major college baseball preseason poll. The Hurricanes were rated No. 13 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s preseason rankings, No. 16 by Baseball America and No. 17 in the USA Today coaches poll.
• The Hurricanes pitching staff is expected to lead the way in 2014. Friday and Saturday night starters Chris Diaz (1.64 ERA) and Bryan Radziewski (1.75) ranked second and third, respectively, in ERA among all ACC pitchers in 2013.
• Both Radziewski (29th round, St. Louis) and midweek starter Javi Salas (38th round, Minnesota) were selected in the 2013 MLB Draft but opted to return to school. Also returning is lefthander Andrew Suarez (3.95 ERA), who is expected to pitch on Sundays.
• Joining the returning nucleus is a recruiting class ranked among the best nationwide. The group was rated No. 4 byCollegiate Baseball and No. 6 by Baseball America – its highest ranking from the publication since 2006.
• Four players from the recruiting class were selected in the 2013 MLB Draft but opted to playcollegiately: outfielder Willie Abreu, first baseman/catcher Zack Collins, righthanded pitcher Derik Beauprez and outfielder Jacob Heyward.
FAMILIAR FOE
• The Miami Hurricanes open their highly anticipated 2014 midweek slate against FAU. Miami has 53-11 all-time advantage over the Owls, including a 45-9 mark at home.
• Head coach Jim Morris boasts an all-time mark of 35-7 against the Owls while at Miami. The Hurricanes have a 7-2 mark against FAU in Boca Raton and a 1-0 mark in neutral games.
• The Hurricanes captured the season series in 2013 by winning two of three midweek matchups, including a thrilling 5-4 contest in extra innings on the road.
