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Miami puts up huge 4th inning, picks up 4th consecutive victory on “Sweep Sunday”

Danny Garcia pitches lights out during his sixth inning on the mound, and Miami sweeps the Manhattan Jaspers at Mark Light Field

By David F. Perez
Mark Light Field on "Sweep Sunday"
Mark Light Field on "Sweep Sunday"

By the bottom of the fourth inning Miami had struggled enough. Coming into the game Miami was on fire offensively, but through three innings of play the Hurricanes did not have a single hit.

Manhattan pitcher Joe Jacques had pitched a phenomenal first three innings, but at that point things began to unravel for the Jaspers.

“Everyone in the order was getting big hits and driving in runs,” Junior catcher Zack Collins said when describing Miami’s fourth inning outburst.  “We had everyone’s back and we made good adjustments today.”

From the beginning of the match-up, Miami definitely did adjust. After Johnny Ruiz brought in the game’s first run, everything else fell into place. Juniors Zack Collins and Edgar Michelangeli each batted in 2 runs in the inning, and when Junior Danny Garcia stepped on the mound to open up the next inning, Miami had put seven runs on the board.

That run support was all the Junior needed, and when Garcia was pulled out prior to the seventh inning, Manhattan had not scored a single run. In six innings of work Garcia struck out three batters, and did a masterful job bouncing back after he gave up 7 runs to the Florida Gators in his last outing.

Garcia ended the game with the victory, and the Hurricanes moved past their Florida series defeat to win their fourth consecutive game.

“They had the best club they’ve had since I’ve been here,” Head Coach Jim Morris said in his post-game press conference when speaking about the Florida Gators. “That’s the way you learn. You quit or you get better, and I think our guys took that challenge and we are getting better every time.”

Since the Florida match-up Miami’s stats have improved a great deal. The ‘Canes have scored at least 6 runs in each of the last 4 games, and have dominated on the mound in many outings.

On Sunday, despite the fact that Danny Garcia pitched well, the Hurricanes struggled out of the bullpen. Freshman Frankie Bartow, in his only inning on the mound, allowed four hits and gave up 3 runs to the heart of Manhattan’s lineup. Junior Cooper Hammond didn’t allow a single run in the game’s eighth inning, but for the first time this season, Junior closer Bryan Garcia allowed a run in the ninth.  On the first pitch of the inning, Manhattan catcher Fabian Pena hit a home run off of Garcia, and scored the Jaspers 4th and final run of the game.

Miami’s seven run inning was the only inning in which Miami scored a run, and the Hurricanes won by a final score of 7-4. Although Miami scored seven runs they were outhit by the Jaspers 10-8, and Manhattan hit with consistency late in the ball game.

Junior Jacob Heyward continued his struggles at the plate in this one, going 0-3 at the plate with one walk, and currently has a below .200 batting average. Heyward will look to get back to his original form moving forward, as the Hurricanes look to get their fifth straight victory against Maine this week.

With this win, the Hurricanes now sweep Manhattan in the weekend series, and score at least 7 runs for the third consecutive game. The ‘Canes now have two weekday games before beginning ACC play against Virginia Tech on Friday. The ‘Canes will play Stetson on Wednesday, but will face off against the Maine Black Bears on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 o’clock at Mark Light Field, and the Hurricanes will look to pick up their fifth straight win.