The Hurricanes took game three of a 3-game series vs the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels 6-2. The much needed win meant that the ‘Canes didn’t suffer a sweep.

In the top of the first things started well for Miami. James Davison reached to start the game after he was hit by a pitch, and that was followed up by a Johnny Ruiz walk. After Ruiz walked UNC removed their pitcher from the game, it wasn’t clear whether there was an injury, but nonetheless a reliever came into the game. With Romy Gonzalez at the plate James Davison tried to steal third as Romy struck out, fortunately for Miami the catcher’s throw to third sailed into the outfield and Davison scored. A Michael Burns groundout ended the inning, but UM led 1-0.

In the bottom of the first Michael Mediavilla found himself in a jam. After a single and a walk gave UNC two men on with no outs, a double steal after a strikeout moved the runners into scoring position. Another walk then loaded the bases for UNC, but a shallow popup to second and a lineout to James Davison in left got Midtown out of the inning with no damage.

In the top of the fourth Brandon Gali softly hit a single into left with two outs. This was followed up by a triple from Greg Veliz that scored the runner and let the freshman show off his wheels. Unfortunately Edgar Michelangeli couldn’t drive in Veliz, and the frame ended with Miami leading 2-0.

Mediavilla got into another jam in the bottom of the fifth. Two singles started off the inning, and a sac-bunt moved both men into scoring position. A hard hit liner was then hit to Johnny Ruiz, and a nice play by him prevented any runs. Midtown then got out of the inning in the next at-bat by forcing a fly-out to right.

Carl Chester started off the top of the sixth with a single into left, and Romy Gonzalez followed with a single, and then both runners advanced off a bad throw. Michael Burns then connected for an RBI single, and another RBI single from Brandon Gali drove in yet another run. Barry Buchowski followed up with a pinch-hit walk, and the bases were loaded for pinch-hitter Nico Baldor. A deep sac-fly scored yet another run, and a perfectly executed suicide-squeeze gave Miami another run. Unfortunately nothing else could come in the inning after UNC’s shortstop made a nice play to get the runner at home on a groundout, and a flyout ended it. By the time UNC finally got out of the inning Miami led 6-0.

In the bottom of the seventh UNC mounted a rally. Mediavilla’s day was done after he allowed a single, and Andrew Cabezas was called in from the bullpen. Cabezas allowed an RBI single to give UNC their first run, and then allowed another RBI single to allow UNC to cut the lead to 6-2.

Frankie Bartow then was called upon in the bottom of the eighth to work Miami out of a jam after UNC loaded the bases. He managed to prevent any damage in the eighth, and shut down UNC in the bottom of the ninth to give the ‘Canes the win.

Michael Mediavilla put together what was undoubtedly his best start of the year today, and it was nice to see him improve.

Game Stats:

Winning Pitcher: Michael Mediavilla (3-3, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 6.1 IP)

Losing Pitcher: Cole Aker (1-1, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0.0 IP)

Save: Frankie Bartow (6)

Box Score:

Next Game:

Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 P.M Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Evan McKendry or Greg Veliz

Radio: WVUM 90.5

Television: None