CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 0-0 ACC) continue their challenging start to the 2014 season with their annual weekend series against in-state rival Florida (4-1, 0-0 SEC). All three games will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Season tickets to Miami’s 2014 season at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field start for as low as $99, with a Family Plan option (two adult tickets, three youth tickets) covering all home games available for just $199. For more information, visit CanesTix.com or call 1-800-GO-CANES.
GAME INFORMATION – GAMES 5-7
#11/16/17 MIAMI HURRICANES (2-2, 0-0 ACC) vs. #16/20/23 FLORIDA GATORS (4-1, 0-0 SEC)
Fri., Feb. 21, 2014 (7 p.m. ET) • Sat., Feb. 22, 2014 (7 p.m. ET) • Sun., Feb 23, 2014 (1 p.m. ET) • ESPN3 • Coral Gables, Fla. • Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field (4,999)
SERIES HISTORY
Miami leads the all-time series 124-109-1 and 77-44-1 at Mark Light Field… Florida has won the two matchups.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
ESPN3 • Mike Levine, Play-by-Play • Charles Johnson, Analyst
WQAM 560 AM • Joe Zagacki, PXP
WVUM 90.5 FM • Friday: Will Gretsky, AJ Ricketts, Jorge Salas • Saturday: Chris Wittyngham, Chip Brierre, Harry Kroll • Sunday: Nate Foy, Oliver Redsten, Ryan Williams
RIVALRY RENEWED
- The Miami Hurricanes continue their challenging start to the 2014 season with their annual weekend series against in-state rival Florida.
- Miami dropped two of three in Gainesville, Fla., in 2013, winning the series opener 3-2 but dropping the next two games.
- Miami holds the all-time advantage over Florida 124-109-1, including a 77-41 lead at Mark Light Field. The Gators carry a 68- 46-1 lead at Alfred McKethan Stadium.
- Miami snapped its losing streak to the Gators with a 3-2 win in the 2013 series opener. David Thompson’s RBI single in the top of the ninth put Miami ahead, while AJ Salcines earned the save in relief.
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 have also earned starts in the early going.
- Three Hurricanes pitchers made their career-first appearances in the team’s series win over Maine: righthander Bryan Garcia, lefthander Danny Garcia and righthander Cooper Hammond.
- Four Hurricanes connected on their career-first basehits in Sunday’s finale against the Black Bears: Willie Abreu (double), Edgar Michelangeli (double), Laz Rivera (RBI single) and Brad Zunica (single). Johnny Ruiz connected on his first basehit in the team’s 5-2 loss to FAU Wednesday.
- Miami starting pitchers combined to allow just two earned runs over 15 innings against Maine – one each from Chris Diaz and Andrew Suarez. Canes starters threw 27 strikeouts compared to just five walks.
CANES LEGENDS RECOGNIZED
- Alex Fernandez and Mike Fiore will be among the seven-member Class of 2014 to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame,
the College Baseball Foundation announced. - Fernandez and Fiore join former head coach Ron Fraser (Class of 2006), assistant coach/player Skip Bertman (2006) and pitcher Neal Heaton (2008) as University of Miami inductees into the College
Baseball Hall of Fame. - Fernandez was named Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-American in 1989, where he won 15 games with a 2.01 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 147 innings. A four-year UM starter, Fiore set 12 UM career batting marks, including hits (341), runs (258), doubles (63), runs batted in (235) and total bases (506).
- The 2014 class will be inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the annual Night of Champions event on June 28 in Lubbock, Texas.