Canes Knock Off Gators 5-2 to Win Series

The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Florida Gators again on Saturday night to take the series from their in-state rival. With the game tied at two in the bottom of the sixth inning, freshman Zack Collins blasted a 3-run homer to give Miami a 5-2 lead, which turned out to be the game winner. Collins had been 0 for his first 17 plate appearances on the season before he took Gator reliever Danny Young deep over the right-field fence at Mark Light Field, his first career hit. Collins is one of several incoming freshman that comprise a recruiting class ranked #6 by Baseball America, and are expected to make an immediate impact as Miami begins this season with aspirations of reaching Omaha for the first time since 2008.

Bryan Radziewski started the game for Miami. The junior left-hander went 5-2/3 innings, giving up six hits and two runs, and getting a no decision. It's the second straight strong outing for Radziewski, who is still looking for his first win of the year.

Cooper Hammond came in to relieve Radziewski in the sixth, where he retired pinch hitter Zack Powers to get Miami out of a bases loaded jam and keep the score tied at two. Hammond was the pitcher of record in the bottom of the sixth when Collins put the Canes in front for good, thus earning his first win of the season. For the second night in a row, Bryan Garcia came in to shut the door and earn the save.

Garrett Kennedy also went deep for the Hurricanes for the second straight night, giving Miami a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

With the win Miami wins a series against Florida for the first time since 2009, when they swept the Gators in Gainesville.

The Hurricanes look to sweep the series tomorrow afternoon at 1pm at Mark Light Field. Junior LHP Andrew Suarez will take the hill for Miami.