Baseball Drops Midweek Matchup to Stetson

DeLAND, Fla. — Miami came back from an early deficit to tie its matchup with Stetson, but allowed four runs in the seventh inning to drop the midweek contest 7-3 to the Hatters at Melching Field.

It was Stetson who struck first, as a bases-clearing double from Jake Pequignot off Miami starter Danny Garcia in the bottom of the second sent the Hatters to an early 3-0 advantage.

After allowing a one-out single to Stetson designated hitter Wade McNabb, Garcia looked to have induced a double play ball from Stetson’s Kyle Zech. But a rare error from sophomore shortstop Brandon Lopez allowed Zech to reach, and after a walk to Kyle Pitts, Pequignot came up with a double down the third base line to open the scoring.

The visitors set themselves for a big inning in the fifth, when senior centerfielder Dale Carey roped a one-out double off Stetson starter Austin Perez into the leftfield corner. After Tyler Palmer singled to put runners on the corners, an RBI single from freshman Willie Abreu put Miami on the board.

Though Palmer was caught trying to steal second during Abreu’s at bat, Brad Fieger delivered a two-out RBI double to right. Stetson rightfielder Kevin Fagan nearly hauled it in with a diving catch, but the ball came out of his glove, as Abreu raced around to make it 3-2.

After getting the first two outs of the fifth inning, Garcia hit Patrick Mazeika with a pitch and allowed a single to Josh Powers to prompt a visit from Coach Morris.

Senior reliever Adam Sargent was called on in relief and issued a four-pitch walk to set up a bases-loaded situation. But Sargent helped Miami escape the jam, fielding a roller from Zech and firing to Thompson, who dove across his body and touched the base with his hand for the final out of the inning.

Perez went 6.2 strong innings for the Hatters, and was relieved after a deep flyout from Abreu moved Palmer (single, steal) to third base with Miami trailing 3-2.

Fieger, who ranks among the conference’s active leaders in nearly every offensive category, delivered yet another clutch RBI with two outs in the seventh. The Naples, Fla., native knocked the second pitch from Stetson reliever Trey Norris into shallow left, plating Palmer to make it 3-3.

But Stetson’s Garrett Russini connected on a one-out RBI double off reliever Daniel Sayles (0-1) to regain a 4-3 advantage in the bottom of the seventh, while a two-RBI double from Darby McCormick off freshman Cooper Hammond made it 6-3.

Another Stetson runner crossed the plate on a chopper from pinch hitter Robert Bruce, as Stetson took a late 7-3 lead.

Miami travels next to Atlanta, Ga., and Russ Chandler Stadium for a weekend series against ACC foe Georgia Tech. First pitch for Friday’s game one, slated for broadcast on ESPN3, is set for 7 p.m.

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 (305) 284-2263.