Miami dropped Game 2 of the series vs the Florida Gators 2-0. The Gators now lead the series 2-0.

The Hurricanes offensive struggles continued today, as once again they were shut-out by the dreaded Gators.

The game started out quietly through the first two and a half innings, until the bottom of the third, when Mark Kolozsvary hit a solo shot to to leftfield putting the Gators up 1-0.

The Hurricanes put together a bit of a rally in the top of the fifth, when James Davison, making the second start of his career, hit a one out single. Davison’s hit was followed up by a steal attempt, which turned into a hit-and-run when Joe Gomez lifted another single, and Davison kept on running to third. Suddenly the Hurricanes had men on the corners with one out and were primed for their first run of the series, only to have Brandon Gali hit a 5-4-3 double play ball.

In the bottom of the sixth Jonathan India hit a two out homerun to left, and Florida led 2-0.

Miami came close to tying it in the top of the seventh, when Edgar Michelangeli drew a leadoff walk. A Romy Gonzalez groundout moved Edgar to second, and Greg Veliz was called upon to pinch hit for Christopher Barr. Veliz smacked a long fly-ball to centerfield, only to watch it be drawn in at the warning track, and the Hurricanes missed yet another opportunity.

After a solid outing Jeb Bargfeldt was replaced by Andrew Cabezas for the bottom of the seventh, and Cabezas quickly retired the Gators.

In the top of the eighth the Hurricanes tried once again to put together a late rally. Nico Baldor put together a great at-bat for a leadoff walk, and Carl Chester quickly followed with a single. Michael Burns was then struck out by Brady Singer, and that was all for Singer on the night. Nick Horvath then appeared for the Gators, and he silenced the attempted rally with a strikeout of Johnny Ruiz. Once again, an opportunity was missed.

In the top of the ninth Frank Rubio completed his second save of the series, and the Hurricanes let yet another one slip through their fingers.

This was a dreadful offensive performance, and it continued the dreadful play of the offense over from the Friday game. It is UNACCEPTABLE to have a pitcher give up only two runs to the #2 team in the nation and not support him at all. Occasionally it even appeared as if the Hurricanes were afraid to pick the bat up off of their shoulders. Too often a Hurricanes batter would stand and watch as strikes were dealt straight into the strike zone, and the team was struckout 13 times. First pitch strikes were taken too often yet again tonight, getting behind in the count has been a problem for the Hurricanes all season, and last night and tonight highlighted that. The tendency to be complacent and get behind in the count undoubtedly contributed to those 13 Ks, and it must be improved. The Hurricanes never even attempted the small ball approach either, with the only player on the team that even attempted it being James Davison. Part of that responsibility falls on the coaching staff, and more especially Jim Morris, who needs to step back and figure out how he expects his team to plate runs. The Hurricanes need to fix the offensive issue, and it starts with plate vision and an understanding of situational hitting.

Game Stats:

Winning Pitcher: Brady Singer (2-0, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K, 7.2 IP)

Losing Pitcher: Jeb Bargfeldt (1-1, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 6.0 IP)

Save: Frank Rubio (2)

Next Game:

Tomorrow, 1:00 P.M Eastern, the Hurricanes look to avoid a sweep.

Hurricanes Starter: Michael Mediavilla (0-1)

Radio: WVUM 90.5

Television: SEC Network+