No.6 N.C. State 6, Miami 4: Ninth Inning Collapse Hands ‘Canes Sixth Straight Loss

Miami dropped to 15-9 (3-5 ACC) on the season and was swept for the first time this year after a ninth inning collapse resulted in Miami blowing what was a 4-2 lead heading to the final frame. Daniel Federman struggled in the ninth. He was asked to pitch two innings today after pitching last night, and it resulted in a blown save and the sixth consecutive loss of the season. Federman wasn’t helped by his defense in a ninth inning that spiraled for the Hurricanes. An inconsistent bullpen and struggling defense combined to cost the Hurricanes this game.

In the top of the first N.C. State scored a run off of a lead-off double followed by an RBI single. However, in the bottom of the second Miami responded and tied the game at one with an RBI single from Michael Amditis.

In the top of the sixth the Wolfpack broke the tie with an RBI double from Brad Debo. Fortunately, Miami tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Gabe Rivera knocked a double off the wall in left and was driven in off of a sac-fly after he moved to third.

In the bottom of the eighth Miami took a 4-2 lead with a two-run rally. Ray Gil led off the inning with a double, and Anthony Vilar drove him in with an RBI single. Michael Amditis knocked a double just past third to give Miami two men in scoring position, and JP Gates drove in Vilar with a sac-fly.

In the top of the ninth the Hurricanes totally collapsed. An error from Freddy Zamora allowed a runner to reach with one out, and he was immediately driven in by Lawson McArthur, who knocked a double to center field. Another hit put runners on the corners, and an RBI single tied things at four. Another error allowed the runner from third to score and allowed another man on base. At this point Greg Veliz entered the game and walked home a run before getting out of the inning.

The Hurricanes gave up four runs in that ninth inning, only one of them was earned.

Miami enters next week having not won a game in over a week. The Hurricanes play four road games this week, facing off against FAU in Boca Raton before heading to Pitt hoping to recapture some momentum in ACC play.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Michael Bienlien (3-1, 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)

Losing Pitcher: Daniel Federman (0-2, 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

Save: None

(Box Score attached when available)

Next Game

Mid-Week @ FAU

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 27, 6:30 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Slade Cecconi (3-1, 2.45 ERA)

FAU Starter: Hunter Cooley (2-3, 6.59 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: FAUSPORTS.TV