Hurricanes Top Alumni 2-0 in Annual Exhibition

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami baseball program welcomed back a record alumni crowd Saturday at the annual FanFest and Alumni Game at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

94 alumni were introduced during pregame ceremonies before the 2018 Hurricanes took on a talented alumni lineup featuring Mets’ prospect David Thompson, Tampa Bay Rays’ minor leaguer Carl Chester, two-time World Series Champion Aubrey Huff, former Arizona Diamondback slugger Peter O’Brien and others.

Sophomore righthander Evan McKendry twirled five shutout innings, as the Hurricanes topped the Alumni, 2-0.

“I thought he pitched well. He got his five innings in, which was the most we wanted him to throw,” head coach Jim Morris said. “I thought he threw good. We’re counting on him being in our rotation, I can tell you that.”

Miami jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double from the team’s leading returning hitter, Romy Gonzalez.

Freshman Tony Jenkins added an RBI double of his own later in the game. Freshman Willy Escala had two hits and reached base three times in the win.

An estimated 125 alumni attended the weekend’s festivities, including an appearance by Major League Baseball players Yonder Alonso, Danny Valencia and Jon Jay at Friday’s First Pitch Banquet. Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was also in attendance Friday.