'Canes Pick Up 5-2 Win In Extras

The Canes needed something positive to hang their hats on before they began a three game series against the third ranked Virginia Cavaliers later in the week and tonight's win against Florida Gulf Coast might be what they need to get back on track.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second with right fielder Michael Suchy (2-4) leading off the inning with a double off the right field wall. Then, after a Tyler Selesky (0-2) fly out, catcher Anderew Valencia(2-4) came up to bat and delivered a double down the right field line driving in Suchy for Valencia's ninth RBI of the year and giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead at the end of two.

However, the Canes would respond right back in the top of third getting some help along the way from the starting pitcher of the Eagle's Zack Tillery. Tillery would issue two walks to Johnny Ruiz (2-2) and Brandon Lopez (0-2) putting runners on first and second. After a Dale Carey (1-5) ground out, Tyler Palmer (2-4) came up with two outs to try and drive in the runners, on a 0-2 count Palmer came through and delivered a two RBI single to left field giving the Canes a 2-1 lead and putting Palmer at fourteen RBI's for the year.

The top of the fourth began very promising for the Canes when freshman Zack Collins (2-4) started the inning off with a single to left field. Alex Hernandez followed it right up with a single of his own putting runners at first and second. Next up came designated hitter Brad Zunica (1-4) and Zunica hit a single to right field and looking to score from second was Collins but Collins was thrown out by right fielder Michael Suchy as Collins refused to slide as the ball came to home plate. Johnny Ruiz followed up the Collins blunder with an attempt at a sac bunt with runners at first and third but the bunt went right back to the pitcher giving Hernandez no chance to score from third and Ruiz was retired at first. Brandon Lopez hit a liner right back to the pitcher Tillery ending the inning for the Canes who came away with three hits for the inning but scored zero runs.

In the bottom of the fourth the Canes made a pitching change as freshman starter Derick Beauprez was pulled after three innings pitched, Beauprez gave up one run which was earned on four hits. Beauprez did a decent job who was making his first start of the season. Beauprez was replaced by Thomas Woodrey and Woodrey was solid throughout three and one third innings. However, in the bottom of the seventh Woodrey hit third baseman Tyler Selesky and after that Woodrey was pulled for freshman pitcher Cooper Hammond. For the Eagles Selesky was replaced for pinch runner Adam Eggnatz and the move paid off for the Eagles as Eggnatz stole second putting him in scoring position for Andrew Valencia. Just like he did in the second inning Valencia delivered with a double to right field knotting the score at two and giving Valencia his second RBI of the game.

The Eagles tried to end the game in the bottom of the ninth with Michael Suchy hitting a single off of Bryan Garcia. After stealing second and advancing on third from a ball that bounced away from catcher Garrett Kennedy, Suchy found himself on third base. After a walk was issued to Ryan O'Malley (0-0), Alex Diaz (0-3) was up with two runners on and two outs. However, Garcia who is one the few bright spots in the bullpen this season got Diaz out on a strikeout and the game was heading to extras.

In the top of the tenth Johnny Ruiz was on second after a single and being pushed over by a sac bunt from Brandon Lopez. Dale Carey was up next and hit a grounder to the shortstop and Ruiz found himself trying to advance on the grounder but was thrown out. With Carey on first, Tyler Palmer walked putting runners on first and second for the freshman Willie Abreu. Abreu (1-4) then took a pitch up the middle from pitcher Brady Anderson driving in Carey putting the Canes on top 3-2. The Canes weren't done there as they put up two more runs in the inning with RBI's from Brad Fieger (0-5) and Garret Kennedy (1-1) making it 5-2. Bryan Garcia would go on to pitch a scoreless bottom of the tenth giving the Canes their first win in four games. Garcia was huge for the Canes again as the freshman pitched three scoreless innings in relief as he picked up his second win of the season.

Miami improves to (12-10,4-2 ACC) while the Eagles fall to (13-8, 0-0 A-Sun)..

Canes return to action on Saturday 7 PM for a huge series as they welcome in the third ranked Virginia Cavaliers who are also the current leaders of the Coastal Division. Saturday's game be seen on ESPN3 and heard on 90.5 WVUM.