No.6 N.C. State 7, Miami 6: The Wheels Have Fallen Off

The Miami Hurricanes lost their fifth game in a row to drop to 15-8 (3-5 ACC) on the season. Over the last week Miami has been terrible in the field and at the plate, and there weren’t many signs of improvement tonight.

In the bottom of the first the Hurricanes managed to plate a run after Jordan Lala singled, stole second, and scored after two groundouts. The lead was short lived. In the top of the fourth two singles gave NCSU two men on with one out. A three-run home run from Evan Edwards then gave the Wolfpack a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth things unraveled even further. A string of hits scored a run, and on the run-scoring play Michael Amditis tried to throw to second to get the runner out. The throw sailed into the outfield and the score went to 5-1. In the bottom of the inning Miami got a run back on a double steal in which Jordan Lala stole home as Adrian Del Castillo stole second.

In the top of the eighth NCSU got another insurance run back when an RBI double off the wall made the game 6-2. They added another run in the top of the ninth with another home run, this time off the bat of Will Wilson.

In the bottom of the ninth Dylan Cloonan reached and Michael Amditis knocked a two-run home run over the fence in left that made the game 7-4. Anthony Vilar followed with a walk, and the ‘Canes continued to fight as J.P. Gates launched a home run over the fence in right, but it was too little, too late, as Dalton Feeney settled in and earned the save.

At this point Miami’s early season optimism has been replaced by a serious need to analyze their attitude and focus at the plate and in the field. The Hurricanes played yet another game with multiple errors tonight, and continued the recent trend of being unable to hit with runners on base, besides the two home runs in the ninth.

This stretch of the schedule was supposed to be Miami’s hardest of the season, but losing five in a row, including a game to Ivy League side Columbia, is a more disappointing run of results than anyone could’ve expected. At this point Sunday’s game is purely there to try and stop the losing skid.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Reid Johnston (3-0, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)

Losing Pitcher: Chris McMahon (1-2, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)

Save: Dalton Feeney (6)

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Date & Time: Sunday, March 24, 1:00 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Brian Van Belle (3-2, 3.38 ERA)

N.C. State Starter: Michael Bienlien (2-1, 3.52 ERA)

Radio: 790 The Ticket / 990 ESPN Deportes

Television: ACC Network Extra