The Miami Hurricanes started off their ACC Tournament with a dramatic win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Tuesday. Miami needed the win, and with it they moved to 28-25 (17-13 ACC) on the season.

Andrew Cabezas gave Miami a chance in this game. Through 7.1 innings of work the junior allowed just two runs. After those two runs, which came in the third inning, Cabezas shut down the Notre Dame offense, refusing to allow another run across the plate while Miami’s lineup tried to figure out the UND pitching staff.

Miami used the strong start from Cabezas to take an early lead. A two out double from Ray Gil gave the Hurricanes a runner in scoring position, and after Gil moved to third on a wild pitch, Willy Escala knocked an RBI single to give Miami a 1-0 lead after two innings.

The top of the third saw the Irish’s only offensive outburst. A double and a bunt single gave UND two men on, and an RBI single tied the game at 1. Cabezas would then force UND’s next batter to ground into a double play, but a run scored from third, giving Notre Dame a 2-1 lead.

Miami couldn’t come up with a response till the bottom of the eighth. When a five run rally saved Miami’s season. Tony Jenkins started the inning by, in the words of Jim Morris after the game “taking one for the team” and getting hit by a pitch. Romy Gonzalez then drew a walk, and Danny Reyes knocked an absolutely HUGE RBI double to right center to tie the game at 2. Michael Burns followed that huge hit with another, when he cranked an RBI single right back up the middle to give Miami a 3-2 lead. Ray Gil followed with another RBI single to push the lead to two for Miami, and the ‘Canes would tack on another two runs with an RBI single off the bat of Freddy Zamora. The Hurricanes had five runs in the inning, but truly could’ve had more if Willy Escala hadn’t tried to force an advancement to third on Zamora’s single.

After the rally, Frankie Bartow returned to the mound after working the last two outs of the eighth inning. Miami needed him to shut Notre Dame down, and besides a leadoff single the star closer did just that. Not allowing any threat from the Irish and giving Miami a crucial win that kept their season alive.

Now the Hurricanes have a huge showdown against the Clemson Tigers Thursday night. Jeb Bargfeldt will take the mound for Miami. The senior has given so much to the program, and we can expect him to leave it all on the mound Thursday night.

If there’s one way I can summarize this eleven game win streak, this game tonight, or really anything involving this year’s Miami team, it’s a quote from Andrew Cabezas’ postgame interview from tonight; “Cardiac Canes baby”, Cardiac Canes indeed.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Frankie Bartow (5-0, 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K)

Losing Pitcher: Andrew Belcik (2-3, 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K)

Save: None

Box Score:

Next Game

ACC Tournament Game 2: Vs Clemson

Date & Time: Thursday, May 24, 7:00 PM

Hurricanes Starter: Jeb Bargfeldt (4-4, 3.20 ERA)

Clemson Starter: Not announced.

Television: RSN in ACC regional areas (Your local sports networks, Fox Sports Florida or Sun for most, unless those networks are blocked out by other programming). ACC Network Extra out of market or in areas where RSN can’t carry the game (blackouts apply).

Radio: 790 The Ticket & WVUM 90.5 FM