The Hurricanes took game two of a 3-game series vs the Dartmouth Big Green 3-2 on Saturday. The Canes’ look to win the series tomorrow.

Things were quiet for both starters until the top of the fourth. When Jeb Bargfeldt gave up a solo homerun, making the game 1-0 Dartmouth. Unfortunately Dartmouth wasn’t done, as the next batter hit another solo homerun, making the game 2-0 Dartmouth. The Hurricanes would respond however, and it started with a ground-rule double for Johnny Ruiz. Unfortunately Ruiz was thrown out at third trying to advance on a fly-ball, but another runner was quickly put on for UM when Romy Gonzalez hit a single. Edgar Michelangeli then drew a walk, and the Canes’ had runners at first and second. Chris Barr was then hit-by-pitch, and the bases were loaded. Randy Batista, a new entry to the lineup, then hit a two RBI single, and the game was tied 2-2. Hunter Tackett then hit a single that looked like it could drive in another run, but Chris Barr was thrown out to end the inning...

BUT THE HURRICANES SCORED...

TWICE!

In the top of the fifth Jeb Bargfeldt gave up what appeared to be a sac-fly, but Michael Burns came up with a HUGE throw that kept the game tied.

In the top of the seventh Bargfeldt was replaced in favor of Albert Maury, who had another great performance. After allowing a leadoff walk, Maury forced a 6-4-3 double play and kept the game even.

Maury once again pitched well in the top of the eighth, and the inning was highlighted by a spectacular Joe Gomez throw to catch a runner stealing. In the bottom of the eighth Michael Burns connected for a one-out single, but two groundouts kept the game tied heading to the ninth.

Frankie Bartow kept the game at 2-2 in the top of the ninth, and all appeared to be in place for the Hurricanes to use some Mark Light Magic...

The magic was a little weird tonight though...

It all started relatively normally, with a Romy Gonzalez leadoff single. Romy then moved to second on a slash play, and the Hurricanes had a runner in scoring position with only one out. That’s when we entered...

THE BALKING ZONE...

That’s right, Dartmouth’s pitcher allowed a rare balk to move Romy Gonzalez over to third. Dartmouth then wisely chose to intentionally walk Chris Barr, and the hero Randy Batista came to the plate, but on a throw to first Dartmouth’s pitcher didn’t come set before throwing it to first, which constitutes a balk, and all runners advanced...

Meaning the Hurricanes won 3-2 on a WALK-OFF BALK.

For some reason it took the umpires forever to call it a balk, and the Dartmouth players were understandably distraught and confused. This is legitimately one of the most unique and odd endings to a baseball game I’ve ever seen, but I’ll take a win in any way possible.

Hopefully the slightly increased offensive production gets the bats going for the Canes’ heading into tomorrow and ACC play, and I would really like to see Randy Batista stay in the lineup, he provided a much needed spark tonight, and proved his clutch abilities.

The biggest key tomorrow for the Hurricanes is what version of Michael Mediavilla we get, hopefully tomorrow he begins to return to his form from last season. Tomorrow’s game is key for UM, and it represents a big opportunity to turn the season around.

Game Stats:

Hurricanes Starter: Jeb Bargfeldt (1-1, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 6.0 IP)

Winning Pitcher: Frankie Bartow (1-0, basically a save).

Losing Pitcher: Patrick Peterson (0-1, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0.2 IP)

Save: None

Next Game:

Tomorrow, vs Dartmouth, 12:00 P.M Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Michael Mediavilla (0-2)

Radio: 560 WQAM

Television: ACC Network Extra