Baseball Canes Take 2 of 3 From Georgia Tech, Prepare for ACC Tournament

Miami welcomed Georgia Tech to The Light for the final series of the regular season on Thursday, and the Canes would take the opener by a score of 8-3. Miami changed the starting rotation for the final weekend going with Eric Whaley, and he delivered a good outing going five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out one. The Canes offense impressed on Thursday as they touched up Buck Farmer for seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in six innings. Farmer was 8-3 on the season going into the game. Alex Hernandez and Dale Carey were each 2-4, as Hernandez scored two runs and Carey drove in a run. Brad Fieger was also 1-2 with a double and 3 RBIs. After Whaley exited, Thomas Woodrey allowed three runs (two earned) in 1 2/3 innings and then Aj Salcines and Javi Salas tossed a combined scoreless 2 1/3 innings to finish off the Yellow Jackets.

Miami's offense came to life once again on Friday, as the Canes would win 11-7 to clinch the series from the Yellow Jackets. Miami tagged Georgia Tech starter Dusty Isaacs for eight runs (seven earned) in just 1 1/3 innings. The early run support was just what Chris Diaz needed as he was solid yet again, going seven innings while allowing three runs and striking out one. With the win, Diaz finished the regular season with a 6-4 record to go along with a 1.58 ERA. David Thompson had himself a night at the plate going 2-5 with a home run, five RBIs, and three runs scored. Alex Hernandez contributed again going 2-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Garrett Kennedy pitched in as well going 2-2 with a double and an RBI. Miami's bullpen struggled a little after Diaz was out of the game, but in the end, closer Eric Nedeljkovic tossed a scoreless inning while striking out two to record his 13th save on the season.

Saturday was the regular season finale and Georgia Tech got some revenge on Miami pounding the Canes 10-1. Bryan Radziewski probably had his worst outing of the season as he only went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks. He took the loss, which was only his second on the season. Mitch Earnest, Mott Hyde, Daniel Palka, and Thomas Smith all homered for the Yellow Jackets. After having two nice offensive performances against Georgia Tech, Miami was only able to muster one run in the series finale. Dale Carey was the only Cane who had multiple hits as he went 2-2. Roger Gonzalez drove in the only Miami run going 1-4 with an RBI. Radziewski finishes the regular season with a record of 8-2 and a 1.64 ERA. His great season earned him a spot on the All-ACC First Team.

This was a nice weekend for Miami was they took two of three from Georgia Tech and were able to finally clinch a spot in the ACC tournament. Miami will play their first game at the ACC tournament against North Carolina on Thursday at 3. They will play NC State on Friday at 11, and then end pool play against Clemson on Saturday at 3. If the Canes were to win Pool A, they would face the winner of Pool B, comprised of FSU, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech on Sunday at 1. The Canes have a tough task ahead of them as North Carolina was ranked #1 for a good part of the season, NC State is very solid, and Clemson is pretty good in their own right. Miami lost two of three against North Carolina, won two of three against Clemson, and didn't face NC State this season.