Hurricanes Looking to End Homestand on High Note
Miami (17-22) vs. FIU (18-21)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule | Game Notes
April 25, 2018 | 6 p.m.
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field | Coral Gables, Fla.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami baseball team looks to close out a five-game homestand on a high note Wed., April 25 when it hosts FIU at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
Freshman Chris McMahon (1-0, 3.00 ERA) opposes FIU righthander Chandler Raiden (0-1, 4.80 ERA) in the last regular-season game between the two teams this spring.
McMahon will look to continue his success from his last start, when he tossed eight dominant innings against FGCU in an 8-1 win on April 18.
McMahon’s performance against the Eagles, when he allowed just one run and struck out eight batters with no walks, jumpstarted the best four-game stretch by UM’s rotation all season.
In the last four games, Miami’s four-man staff compiled combined totals of 34 strikeouts, five walks, four earned runs and 13 hits allowed in 30.2 innings.
Miami’s staff ERA over the last week was a microscopic 1.17 and its strikeouts-per-nine inning total was 9.98. The Hurricanes’ four starting pitchers posted a group WHIP of 0.59.
The Hurricanes’ dominant week at the hill was bookended by McMahon’s gem and Andrew Cabezas’ sterling performance against Pittsburgh to help salvage a weekend series.
Cabezas tossed the first complete game shutout by a Miami hurler since May 14, 2015 in a 3-0 win over the Panthers. The fiery righthander tied a career mark with 11 strikeouts and allowed just three hits and three walks in the best start of his career.
For his performance against the Panthers, Cabezas was recognized with ACC Pitcher of the Week honors.
In between McMahon and Cabezas, senior Jeb Bargfeldt struck out six across seven innings and allowed one run in a 2-1 loss to Pitt on April 20. Sophomore Evan McKendry struck out nine batters in 6.2 innings in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader before Cabezas helped Miami capture the finale.
The Hurricanes carry a dominant 93-28 all-time series lead in the series with FIU, including a 60-18 lead in games played at Mark Light Field. But FIU captured the first game this season, taking a 5-3 decision at FIU Baseball Stadium back on March 7.
First pitch for Wednesday’s matchup, slated for broadcast on ACC Network Extra and WVUM 90.5 FM, is set for 6 p.m. from The Light. Following its matchup with the Panthers, the Hurricanes will travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for their annual rivalry series with Florida State from April 26-28.
