No. 17 Miami Treks to No. 2 Wake Forest
CONFERENCE COLLISION COURSE IN CAROLINA
• For the first time in 2023, the 17th-ranked Miami Hurricanes trek across state lines, squaring off against No. 2 Wake Forest.
• The Hurricanes lead the all-time series over the Demon Deacons, 38-13, including a 15-6 edge at David F. Couch Ballpark.
• Miami heads into the weekend atop the ACC standings. The Hurricanes tallied an ACC-leading 20 conference victories in 2022.
• Since Gino DiMare was elevated to head coach in 2019, UM has posted the best conference winning percentage (.635) in the ACC.
• Under DiMare’s tutelage, Miami has mounted the third-best overall winning percentage (.665) among the 14 ACC programs.
• Miami is second in the nation with six top-25 victories, trailing only No. 4 Vanderbilt, which has collected seven ranked wins.
• Karson Ligon (2-0, 4.11 ERA) starts the series opener opposite of reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder (4-0, 1.74 ERA).
• A sophomore right-handed pitcher, Ligon has tossed a team-best 30 2/3 innings, limiting hitters to a .197 batting average.
WINNING WAYS
• Miami enters the weekend riding a five-game winning streak, highlighted by a sweep of then-No. 17 Virginia Tech.
• Over the last five games, the Hurricanes are slashing .358/.480/.682, outscoring their opponents by a 54-26 margin.
• Miami has scored double-digit runs in three straight contests, including a 21-run output against the Hokies.
• The Hurricanes have hammered 14 home runs across the five-game streak, with seven of those homers coming in the front leg of Saturday’s doubleheader, which marked the fourth most in a single game in program history.
• Junior first baseman CJ Kayfus has led the charge offensively, batting .650 with four jacks and 11 RBI, earning ACC, Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game/Rawlings Player of the Week honors on March 20.
CARDIAC CANES
• Through its first 21 games, Miami has notched 10 come-from-behind victories, including two walk-off wins.
• The Hurricanes are 4-4 when trailing after six innings, one victory shy of their entire win total in those situations last year.
• Miami overcame a five-run deficit at then-No. 6 Florida, scoring 13 unanswered runs and rallied to win following a six run deficit against then No. 17 Virginia Tech.
• The Hurricanes have registered seven five-plus-run frames, recording a season-high 10 runs in the seventh inning versus the Hokies on March 18.
MIAMI MASHERS
• As of March 23, the Hurricanes are fifth nationally in home runs (47) and sit in 16th in slugging percentage (.557).
• Miami has circled the bases in 17 of its 21 games, totaling 14 multi-homer performances along the way.
• The Canes are 14-3 when launching at least one home run and 12-2 when mounting two-plus jacks.
• The Hurricanes are on pace for 123 homers during the regular season, which would rank as the second-most by a Miami team in a single season.
• Fifteen different Hurricanes have left the yard, with freshman Blake Cyr and junior CJ Kayfus blasting a co-team best six round-trippers.
