Hurricanes Stun Blue Devils in Late-Inning Thriller
DURHAM, N.C. — The Cardiac Canes did it again.
Despite trailing Duke in the eighth for the second straight weekend, Miami found a way.
The fourth-seeded Hurricanes rallied for three runs in the bottom half before slamming the door on the fifth-seeded Blue Devils, 7-6, Friday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
After Duke (35-21) grabbed a late 6-4 lead in eighth, Miami (39-18) responded in a big way.
Junior CJ Kayfus launched a solo shot into the right-field bleachers to cut the deficit in half.
Two batters later, third baseman Yohandy Morales tied things up.
Morales mashed an opposite-field no-doubter, igniting the Hurricanes’ dugout.
But Miami wasn’t done.
With two on and two out, sophomore Renzo Gonzalez delivered.
Gonzalez ripped a single up the middle to push the Hurricanes in front for good.
Closer Andrew Walters (11) shut down the Blue Devils in the ninth to punctuate a perfect pool play performance.
Fifth-year senior Carlos Lequerica (5-1) earned the win in relief, while Duke closer James Tallon (1-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs.
The Hurricanes will look to reach their first ACC Baseball Championship final for the first time in 11 years, when Miami meets top-seeded Wake Forest Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Boshamer Stadium.
To keep up with the University of Miami baseball team on social media, follow @CanesBaseball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
